Facilitating play of a gaming device in accordance with a contract

ABSTRACT

According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining an identifier associated with a player of a gaming device, determining information indicative of historical game play of the player, and determining, based at least upon the information indicative of the historical game play of the player and the identifier associated with the player, whether the player qualifies for a benefit pursuant to a gaming contract. Some embodiments are directed to receiving an indication of a gaming contract insurance claim associated with a gaming contract of a player, determining information indicative of a subset of historical game play of the player, and determining whether to provide a benefit to the player pursuant to the gaming contract.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part that claims priority andbenefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 to commonly owned, co-pending InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2005/028383 entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR FACILITATING PLAY OF A GAMING DEVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACONTRACT”, and filed on Aug. 10, 2005, which itself claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/600,211 entitled “SYSTEMS,METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING GAMING CONTRACTS”, filed on Aug.10, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/600,646 entitled“SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING GAMING CONTRACTS”, filedon Aug. 11, 2004, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like referencenumerals generally indicate identical or functionally similar elements.The leftmost digit(s) of a reference numeral typically identifies thefigure in which the reference numeral appears. As will be understood bythose skilled in the art, the drawings and accompanying descriptionspresented herein indicate some exemplary arrangements for storedrepresentations of information. A number of other arrangements may beemployed besides the tables shown. Similarly, the illustrated entriesrepresent exemplary information, but those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein. A brief description of the drawingsfollows:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system, according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server operable to communicate with oneor more gaming devices, according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example gaming device, according to oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are tables illustrating an example player database, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example player eligibility rulesdatabase, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are tables illustrating an example gaming devicedatabase, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an example gaming device eligibilityrules database, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a table illustrating an example gaming device status database,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating an example contract customization rulesdatabase, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating an example available contracts database,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a table illustrating an example purchased contracts database,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a table illustrating example contract cards, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an example contract receipt, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example process, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example process, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example process, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a method according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Introduction

In accordance with one embodiment, a method provides for determiningthat play of a gaming device qualifies for coverage under a contractpreviously purchased, monitoring the play, and reconciling the contractbased on the monitored play.

Some embodiments may comprise, for example, determining an identifierassociated with a player of a gaming device, determining informationindicative of historical game play of the player, determininginformation indicative of a game play contract associated with theplayer, and determining, based at least upon the information indicativeof the historical game play of the player and the information indicativeof the game play contract associated with the player, whether the playerqualifies for a benefit pursuant to the game play contract.

In some embodiments, a method may comprise receiving an indication of agaming contract insurance claim associated with a gaming contract of aplayer, determining information indicative of a subset of historicalgame play of the player, and determining whether to provide a benefit tothe player pursuant to the gaming contract.

In one or more embodiments, the determination that play of a gamingdevice qualifies for coverage under a contract previously purchased maybe based on receiving, from a gaming device, an indication that anidentifier that is associated with the contract has been inserted intoor otherwise received by the gaming device. The determination mayfurther comprise determining terms of the contract, and determining thatplay of the gaming device satisfies the terms.

In one or more embodiments, reconciling the contract may comprisedetermining whether the contract has been complied with and providing abenefit to a player who purchased the contract only if the contract hasbeen complied with. The benefit may comprise, for example, a refund ofat least a portion of losses incurred by the player during a period oftime defined by the contract, a refund of at least a portion of wagersposted by the player during a period of time defined by the contract,and/or allowing a player to continue playing a gaming device once acredit meter balance of the gaming device has been depleted.

In one or more embodiments, determining that a contract has beencomplied with may comprise determining that an amount of play defined bythe contract has been completed in a satisfactory manner. This maycomprise, for example, one or more of: (i) determining that the amountof play is not less than a minimum amount of play; (ii) determining thatthe amount of play is not more than a maximum amount of play; (iii)determining that the amount of play equals a specified amount of play;(iv) determining that the play was conducted on a gaming device approvedfor play under the contract; (v) determining that the play was conductedwithin a period of time defined by the contract; (vi) determining thatthe play required a minimum sum of wagers; (vii) determining that theplay was conducted at a minimum required rate; and (viii) determiningthat a minimum wager amount was posted for at least one game playencompassed by the play.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides forreceiving a contract initiation signal from a gaming device; storingdata associated with game play of the gaming device until one of acontract play termination signal is received and/or an end of a contractperiod is determined; and providing a benefit defined by the contractbased on whether the data indicates a compliance with terms of thecontract.

In one embodiment, the benefit may comprise a refund of at least aportion of losses incurred by a player associated with the contractduring a period of time defined by the contract.

In another embodiment, the benefit may comprise a refund of at least aportion of wagers posted by a player associated with the contract duringa period of time defined by the contract.

In yet another embodiment, the benefit may comprise authorizing thegaming device to allow play of the gaming device once a credit meterbalance of the gaming device has been depleted below a predefined level.The level may be zero, a number of credits insufficient to post a wagerfor a game play at the gaming device, a number of credits insufficientto post a maximum allowable wager for a game play at the gaming device,and/or a number of credits defined by a casino, a player, a gamingdevice manufacturer or another entity. In one embodiment, authorizingthe gaming device to allow play of the gaming device comprisesauthorizing the gaming device to allow the credit meter balance to be anegative number. In another embodiment, authorizing the gaming device toallow play of the gaming device comprises authorizing the gaming deviceto add credits to the credit meter balance without requiring paymenttherefore from a player playing the gaming device.

In one or more embodiments, a system is provided. The system comprises acomputing device operable to communicate with a plurality of gamingdevices (e.g., a server of a casino), each of the gaming devicesoperable to facilitate a wagering game. The computing device is furtheroperable to: (i) determine an initiation of a game play at one of thegaming devices; (ii) determine an identifier of a contract associatedwith the game play, wherein the contract has been entered into by aplayer prior to the initiation of the game play, and wherein thecontract defines a contract period and a benefit to which the player isentitled if the terms of the contract have been satisfied; (iii)determine data associated with the game play; and (iv) determine whetherthe player is entitled to the benefit based on the data and the terms.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises the plurality of gamingdevices. In one embodiment, the contract comprises a contract inexchange for which the player provided payment.

In one embodiment, the computing device is further operable to store thedata in association with data from at least one other game play, therebystoring data indicative of a plurality of game plays; and determinewhether the player is entitled to the benefit based on the dataindicative of the plurality of game plays.

In one embodiment, the computing device is further operable to determinewhether the game play qualifies as a game play that is covered under theterms of a contract.

In one embodiment, the computing device is further operable to store thedata associated with the game play in association with the identifieronly if the game play qualifies as a game play that is covered under theterms of a contract.

In one embodiment, the computing device is further operable to identifythe contract based on an identifier provided by the player to the gamingdevice. The identifier may comprise, for example, an identifier thatuniquely identifies the player and/or an identifier that uniquelyidentifies the contract.

In one embodiment, the computing device may further be operable toprovide the benefit to the player. Providing the benefit may comprise,for example, causing a gaming device of the plurality of gaming devicesto output the benefit to the player and/or authorizing a casino employeeto provide the benefit to the player. The benefit may comprise amonetary payment (e.g., a refund of at least a portion of lossesincurred by the player during the contract period).

In one embodiment, the computing device may further be operable toreceive a request from the player for the benefit and determine, inresponse to the request, whether the player is entitled to the benefitbased on the data and the terms.

In one embodiment, the computing device is further operable to determinethe benefit based on the data and the terms of the contract. Forexample, the computing device may be operable to determine a value ofthe benefit based on the data and the terms of the contract.

In one embodiment, the computing device may further be operable toauthorize a sale of the contract to the player. For example, in someembodiments only certain players (e.g., players associated with aspecified status or other characteristic such as being a hotel guest,players associated with one or more specified gambling historycharacteristics, players associated with a specified history of previouscontract purchases and/or contract compliance, etc) may be eligible topurchase any contract and/or to purchase a particular contract. Inanother embodiment, a certain contract may only be available ifspecified conditions are satisfied (e.g., a level of gaming devicebusiness on the casino floor is satisfactory, a general level ofbusiness of the casino is satisfactory, if the contract is flagged asavailable in a database of available contracts, etc.).

In one embodiment, the benefit is provided to a player at an end of aperiod defined by the contract, provided the player has complied withthe terms of the contract. For example, a refund of at least a portionof player losses incurred during the period of time may be provided atthe end of the period of time. In another embodiment, the benefit isprovided to a player during a period of time defined by the contract,provided the player is currently complying with the terms of thecontract. For example, a player may be allowed to continue playing agaming device even if the credit meter balance has been depleted below apredefined level if the player is complying with the terms of thecontract (e.g., the player is playing at a specified minimum rate ofplay, the player is playing an eligible gaming device, the player isplaying during an eligible time of day, etc.).

In accordance with one aspect of the invention(s) described herein,disclosed herein are apparatus, systems and methods for administering agaming contract (e.g., an agreement between a player and a casinoestablishment relating to game play within the casino). In one or moreembodiments, a computer of the present invention (e.g., a “playertracking” and/or “slot accounting” controller in communication with oneor more gaming devices) may be configured to (i) provide a gamingcontract associated with a contract identifier (e.g., activate a gamingcontract and provide a player a “contract card,” which may be similar inappearance to such an object as a player tracking card), (ii) receive acontract initiation signal (e.g., detect the insertion of the contractcard into an eligible gaming device), (iii) track game play dataassociated with the contract identifier (e.g., track an amount wageredand/or an amount lost by the gaming device player), and (iv) reconcilethe contract based at least on the game play data (e.g., reimburse theplayer for an amount wagered and/or an amount lost). Such a system maybe advantageous in that gaming contracts may be administered withoutrequiring substantial gaming device reconfigurations (e.g., a slotmachine and/or various components thereof need not be programmed orotherwise configured to administer contracts, track game play, etc.).

Systems, apparatus and computer program products are provided forcarrying out the above-described embodiments and numerous otherembodiments of the present invention. Each computer program productdescribed herein may be carried by a medium readable by a computer(e.g., a carrier wave signal, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a randomaccess memory, etc.).

Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, play of agaming device may be made more beneficial and/or convenient to a playerwith the aid of a contract that a player may purchase. Many differenttypes of contracts are described herein and in the related applicationslisted herein. Any and all of these contracts may be implemented via thesystems and apparatus described herein. Further, in accordance withanother aspect of the present invention, play of one or more gamingdevices may be monitored by a computing device (e.g., a server of acasino) to determine whether a player who purchased a contract has or iscomplying with the terms of the contract and is thus entitled to abenefit defined by the contract. In this manner, the benefits of acontract may be realized by players without necessarily requiring any orsubstantial reconfiguration of existing gaming device, as explainedherein.

With these and other advantages and features of the invention that willbecome hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be moreclearly understood by reference to the following detailed description ofthe invention, to the appended claims and to the several drawingsattached herein.

Many other advantageous features may be provided in accordance with acontract executable via a gaming device, as described below. At leastsome of the novel methods and apparatus for facilitating execution of acontract via a gaming device provided herein overcome one or moredrawbacks of the prior art.

II. Terminology

The terms “controller” “computing device” and “central controller” areused interchangeably herein and refer, unless specified otherwise, to anelectronic device (e.g., a computer) that communicates with one or moreperipheral devices (e.g., a card reader affixed to a gaming device),kiosks (e.g., a “contract kiosk” as described further herein), gamingdevices, and/or any other devices described herein (e.g., computerdevices operated by casino personnel). For example a controller maycomprise a casino server operable to communicate with a plurality ofgaming devices and/or its peripheral devices. In some embodiments, acontroller may perform a variety of “player tracking” and/or “slotaccounting” functions. Thus, a controller in communication with a gamingdevice may be configured to, among other things, (i) identify players(e.g., by detecting the insertion of a player tracking card), (ii)detect gaming contract initiation signals (e.g., by detecting theinsertion of a “contract card”), and/or (iii) monitor and/or record gameplay data associated with players or gaming contracts (e.g., bymeasuring statistics such as wager amounts, payout amounts, win/lossamounts, and so on). Thus, the controller may contain or otherwise beconfigured to read data from and/or write data to one or more databasesor other memory mechanisms regarding data associated with a particularplayer, gaming contract and/or gaming session. In some embodiments, acontroller may function to, for example, (i) control the activities of agaming device and/or its peripheral device, (ii) authorize an activityand/or event at a gaming device, (iii) direct a gaming device and/or itsperipheral device to perform a function, (iv) monitor activity at agaming device and/or its peripheral device, and/or (v) interrogate agaming device and/or its peripheral device for information.

The term “game” means, unless specified otherwise, a wagering activitywhereby a player posts consideration, usually monetary in form, inexchange for a chance at winning a payout. The definition is intended toinclude basic games and bonus games.

The terms “gaming device”, “gaming device”, “gambling device” and/or“gaming machine” are used interchangeably herein and refer, unlessspecified otherwise, to any electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanicaldevice that, in a manner well known in the art, accepts a wager,determines an outcome and determines winnings based on the outcome. Theoutcome may be randomly generated, may be generated through acombination of randomness and player skill, or may be generated entirelythrough player skill. Gaming devices may include slot machines (bothvideo and mechanical reels), video poker machines, video blackjackmachines, video roulette machines, video keno machines, video bingomachines, pachinko machines, video lottery terminals, handheld gamingdevices, and the like. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device maycomprise and may also include a computer, personal digital assistant, orcell phone that is communication with an on-line casino (e.g., a gamingwebsite). In one embodiment, a gaming device comprises a handheld gamingdevice, which may communicate with one or more other devices in awireless manner.

The terms “game play”, “play”, “handle pull” and “spin”, when used as anoun, are used interchangeably herein and refer, unless specifiedotherwise, to a single play of a game at a gaming device that generatesa singular, corresponding outcome (e.g., a player pulls the handle of aslot machine and the reels resolve to “bar-lemon-plum”). In someembodiments, a game play may comprise a bonus round. It should be notedthat, in some instances, the term “game play” may refer to any number ofgame plays. In one embodiment, a game play includes a sequence of eventsin which (i) a wager is initiated or made (either by a player orautomatically by a gaming device), (ii) an outcome is provided (e.g., arandom number and/or a set of reel indicia or other indicia is provided)and (iii) the wager is disposed of and/or a payout is provided inaccordance with the outcome (the payout may be made, for example, byapplying a credit to a credit balance).

As used herein, a “winning game play” is a game play in which a winningoutcome is produced (e.g., a payout or other prize is provided to aplayer as a result of the outcome).

As used herein, a “losing game play” is a game play in which a winningoutcome is not produced (e.g., a payout or other prize is not providedto a player as a result of the outcome and a player loses the wagerposted for the game play).

The term “game play data” means, unless specified otherwise, to dataand/or information associated with one or more game plays. In someembodiments, a game play data may be associated with (i) a player (e.g.,as uniquely identifier by a player identifier, such as “P-000001”),and/or (ii) a gaming contract (e.g., as uniquely identified by a gamingcontract identifier, such as “GC-000001”). Game play data may comprisevarious statistics related to game play, including but not limited to(i) wager data (e.g., a monetary amount wagered by a player inassociation with one or more game plays), (ii) payout data (e.g., amonetary amount won by a player in association with one or more gameplays), (iii) win/loss data (e.g., a monetary result of one or more gameplays, which may be determined by subtracting a wager amount from apayout amount), (iv) payline data (e.g., a number of slot machinepaylines activated by a player in association with one or more gameplays), (v) time data (e.g., an amount of time elapsed between and/orduring one or more game plays), and so on. Game play data may alsocomprise an indication of a number of game plays initiated inassociation with a particular player and/or gaming contract (e.g.,player “P-000001” has played one thousand two hundred and thirty-eight(1,238) handle pulls).

The terms “game session”, “gaming session”, “session”, and “playsession” are used interchangeably herein and refer, unless specifiedotherwise, to a gambling event with a beginning and end that typicallyencompasses a plurality of game plays. The end of the session may bedetermined voluntarily (in which the player elects to stop play) orinvoluntarily (in which the gaming device and/or controller terminatesplay). In some embodiments, a session may begin when a player providesan identifier (e.g., a player identifier and/or a contract identifier),and end upon an occurrence of a session ending event. A session endingevent may comprise, for example, (i) an occurrence of an end of a periodof time defined by a contract, (ii) a signal or indication from a player(e.g., the player's removal of a player tracking card and/or a contractcard from a gaming device), (iii) a completion of terms of a contract,and/or a reconciliation of a contract. In some embodiments, a player maypay (e.g., pre-pay prior to initiating the game session) a fixed pricefor a game session. The payment may be in exchange for, for example, (i)a predetermined number of game plays, or (ii) a period of time duringwhich an indeterminate number of game plays may ensue. Apparatus andmethods which, among other things, permit and enable various ways ofproviding gaming contracts and game sessions such as prepaid orflat-rate play sessions, and which are appropriate for use in accordancewith the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,163,filed Jun. 23, 1997, entitled “GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAYSESSION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME,” as well as pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/001,089, filed Nov. 2, 2001, entitled “GAMEMACHINE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME”, thecontractual and/or flat-rate play concepts and descriptions of eachbeing hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The terms “gaming contract” and “contract” are used interchangeablyherein and refer, unless specified otherwise, to an agreement between aplayer and another entity (e.g., a casino or other gaming establishment)relating to game play that may be conducted at one or more gamingdevices and/or table games. In one embodiment, a contract has anassociated price for which the player may purchase the contract anddefines a benefit to be provided to the player. The contract may furtherdefine one or more terms with which the player must comply in order tobe provided with the defined benefit. As explained in more detail below,the benefit may be provided at the end of a period of time defined bythe contract. For example, a benefit may comprise a monetary amount thatis a refund of at least a portion of losses incurred by the playerduring the period of time. In another embodiment, the benefit may beprovided during a period of time defined by the contract (e.g., once, aplurality of times, continuously, periodically, in response to atriggering condition, or on another basis).

For example, a benefit may comprise access to a feature of a gamingdevice and/or an ability to continue playing the gaming device eventhough a credit meter balance of the gaming device has been depletedbelow a predetermined level. In some embodiments, a contract period maycomprise (i) a predetermined number of game plays, or (ii) anindeterminate number of game plays to be initiated within apredetermined period of time (e.g., one hour). Further, in someembodiments, a gaming contract may be provided only if a player (i) paysor agrees to pay a premium, fee or surcharge, which may be associatedwith one or more game plays and/or wager amounts (e.g., an incrementalone cent (1¢) fee is assessed for every twenty-five cents (25¢) wageredby the player; the player pays a flat thirty dollar ($30) premium fortwo hours of insured play), and/or (ii) agrees to a predeterminedcontract period (e.g., twelve (12) hours of slot play; six thousand(6,000) handle pulls, twenty-five thousand (25,000) lines played, etc.).One example of a contract is an insurance contract. An insurancecontract is described in more detail below.

The terms “gaming contract data” and “contract data” are usedinterchangeably herein and refer, unless specified otherwise, toinformation or data associated with or pertaining to a gaming contract,including but not limited to (i) game play data associated with thecontract, (ii) a refund rate associated with the contract, (iii)contract fees associated with the contract, (iv) a period of timeassociated with the contract, and so on.

The terms “gaming contract play” and “contract play” are usedinterchangeably herein and refer, unless specified otherwise, to one ormore game plays which result from a contract, are covered under theterms of a contract, qualify for inclusion under a contract, or areotherwise associated with a contract (e.g., all game plays initiated bya player during a period of time defined by a contract).

The term “player tracking card” refers, unless specified otherwise, toan instrument issued by a casino and useful in uniquely identifying aplayer and/or tracking gambling or other activity of the player. Mostcasinos issue plastic cards (resembling frequent shopper cards) toplayers as a way of identifying the player at a slot machine or tablegame. As is well known in the art, such cards typically have encodedthereon (in machine-readable and/or human readable form) a playeridentifier (e.g., a six digit number) which uniquely identifies theplayer (e.g., because the number is associated with a record in a playerdatabase that includes corresponding player information). The playerinserts the card into a reader device affixed to a gaming device (e.g.,which may be an example of a peripheral device), and the playeridentifier is read from the card, most often magnetically or optically.From the player identifier, the corresponding player information may inturn be read from a database, typically via a network connection betweenthe reader device and a device hosting the database (e.g., acontroller).

As described in more detail below, in some embodiments a playerestablishing a gaming contract may receive a “contract card”. In someembodiments, a contract card may have a substantially similar functionand appearance as to that of a player tracking card, though a contractcard may alternately or additionally be associated with a uniquecontract identifier (e.g., such that data may be read from and/orwritten to a database regarding the contract and/or game play dataassociated therewith). In some embodiments a player tracking card maycomprise a contract card once a player established a contract.

The term “rate of play” as used herein, unless specified otherwise,refers to the number of game plays performed per unit of time. Forexample, a rate of twenty (20) game plays performed in five minutes(5-min) is slower than a rate of twenty-five (25) game plays performedin five minutes (5-min).

The term “depletion of a credit meter balance” as used herein, unlessspecified otherwise, refers to a reduction of a credit meter balancebelow a predetermined threshold. For example, depletion of a creditmeter balance may refer to the credit meter balance reaching (i) zerocredits, (ii) a negative amount of credits (i.e., an amount less thanzero), (iii) an amount of credits that is less than a wager amount thatis applicable per game play; (iv) an amount of credits that is less thana maximum allowable wager amount per game play; and/or (v) anotheramount. “Depletion of a credit meter balance” may also include reductionof the credit balance to or below a predetermined level that may havebeen set by the player, by the gaming device, by the casino, or by thecontroller.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, the term “player” includesone person or a group of persons who place wagers on the operation of agaming device. Such wagers may be made in connection with a contract.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, the term “payout” includesan amount greater than zero that is credited to a credit balance of agaming device in response to a winning game play and/or a prize providedto a player as a result of a game play.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, the term “inputting”includes any manner of providing an input, a signal, a stimulus, anindication, data or information to a device, and includes actuating anactuatable portion of the device and/or transmitting a signal to thedevice from another device.

A gaming machine should be understood to “receive” (as that term is usedherein and in the appended claims) an input, a signal, data orinformation upon actuation of an actuatable portion of the gamingmachine (e.g., a push button, a keypad, a keyboard, a region of a touchscreen) and/or upon receipt of a signal generated by a device exteriorto the gaming machine.

III. System Architecture

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment 100 of a system inaccordance with one or more embodiments is depicted in block diagramform. Embodiment 100 is referred to as system 100 herein. The presentinvention can be configured to work as a system 100 in a networkenvironment including a computer 110 (e.g., a slot server of a casino)that is in communication, via a communications network, with one or moregaming devices 130 (e.g., slot machines, video poker machines, etc.) andwith one or more contract kiosks 140. A kiosk 140 may comprise, forexample, a stand-alone kiosk or computing device located at acasino-staffed personnel counter via which a player may view availablecontracts, purchase a contract, and/or receive a benefit for a contractpreviously entered into. The computer 110 may communicate with any andall of the gaming devices 130 and any and all of the contract kiosks 140directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as theInternet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriatecommunications means or combination of communications means. Each of thegaming devices 130 may comprise computers, such as those based on theIntel® Pentium® processor, that are adapted to communicate with thecomputer 110. Any number and type of devices 130 may be in communicationwith the computer 110. Similarly, any number and type of contract kiosks140 may be in communication with the computer 110.

In some embodiments, a contract kiosk 140 may be configured to executeor assist in the execution of various processes described herein, orportions thereof. In some embodiments, a kiosk may comprise a processorand a memory as described. A kiosk may also comprise various inputdevices (e.g., a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, a port thatreceives player tracking cards, an optical scanner for reading barcodesor other indicia, a CCD camera, etc.), output devices (e.g., a displayscreen, audio speakers, etc.), benefit output devices (e.g., a coin trayor printer for printing cashless gaming tickets), combinations thereof(e.g., a “ticket-in/ticket-out” device, a touch-sensitive displayscreen, etc.), communications ports, and so on. Thus, a kiosk maycomprise many of the features and components of a gaming device, thoughthe kiosk itself may not necessarily be configured to enable gamblingactivity as a primary function. A kiosk may communicate with any or allof (i) a controller operable to communicate with one or more gamingdevices, (ii) a gaming device, (iii) an inventory/reservation system ofa casino-maintained property (e.g., a hotel), (iv) casino personneldevices, (v) merchant POS terminals, and so on. A number of contractkiosks 140 may be stationed within casino premises (e.g., at variouslocations on a slot floor, in a casino hotel lobby, near a swimming pooloperated by a casino, etc.). In various embodiments, kiosks may executeor assist in the execution of (i) determining and outputting a playerstatus or other types of data described herein (e.g., a kiosk receives aplayer tracking card, and outputs a number of accumulated reward which aplayer may be entitled to redeem), (ii) outputting payments to players(e.g., upon receipt of cashless gaming tickets, player tracking cards,contract cards, smart cards, etc.), (iii) outputting a menu of availablecontracts and detailed information of each available contract, (iv)determining a player's eligibility to purchase a contract, (v)facilitating a player's purchase of a contract (e.g., includingreceiving payment therefore), (vi) receiving data indicative of whethera player has complied with, or is complying with, terms of a contractpreviously purchased by the player (e.g., the data may be received froma gaming device, from computer 110, from a player device, from acontract card and/or player tracking card comprising a memory (e.g., a“smart card”), and/or from a contract server), and/or (vii) any otherprocess described herein, or portion thereof. In some embodiments, acontract kiosk 140 may be configured to, among other things, (i) providea gaming contract associated with a gaming contract identifier, (ii)reconcile contracts based on contract data (e.g., provide refunds),and/or (iii) output contract data (e.g., provide contract statusinformation). A contract kiosk 140 may be operable to read from and/orwrite to one or more databases described herein. The memory of acontract kiosk 140 may store a program for executing such processes, orportions thereof.

It should be noted that, in accordance with one embodiment, one or moreof the contract kiosks 140 may be in communication with a server orcontroller different from computer 110. For example, a contract servermay be operable to store information about available and/or purchasedcontracts, authorize a contract kiosk 140 to sell a contract to aplayer, authorize a contract kiosk 140 to provide a benefit to a player,receive data from a casino employee regarding a contract, etc. In suchan embodiment, computer 110 may communicate with contract kiosks 140 viathe contract server. Of course, in other embodiments that include acontract kiosk, computer 110 may still communicate with contract kiosks140 directly (e.g., in addition to, or in lieu of, communicating withthe contract server).

Communication between the devices 130, 140 and the computer 110, amongthe devices 130, and among the devices 140 may be direct or indirect,such as over the Internet through a Web site maintained by computer on aremote server or over an on-line data network including commercialon-line service providers, bulletin board systems and the like. In yetother embodiments, the gaming devices 130 and/or the contract kiosks 140may communicate with one another and/or the computer 110 over RF, cableTV, satellite links and the like.

Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may comprise thenetwork or be otherwise part of the system 100 include: a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telephoneline, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, anda satellite communications link. Possible communications protocols thatmay be part of the system include: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP,Bluetooth®, and TCP/IP. Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacyand prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.

A variety of communications protocols may be part of the system 100 oranother system operable to facilitate the embodiments described herein,including but not limited to: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, SAS™,SuperSAS™, ATP, Bluetooth®, and TCP/IP. Further, in some embodiments,various communications protocols endorsed by the Gaming StandardsAssociation of Fremont, Calif., may be utilized, such as (i) the GamingDevice Standard (GDS), which may facilitate communication between agaming device and various component devices and/or peripheral devices(e.g., printers, bill acceptors, etc.), (ii) the Best of Breed (BOB)standard, which may facilitate communication between a gaming device andvarious servers related to play of one or more gaming devices (e.g.,servers that assist in providing accounting, player tracking,ticket-in/ticket-out and progressive jackpot functionality), and/or(iii) the System-to-System (S2S) standard, which may facilitatecommunication between game-related servers and/or casino propertymanagement servers (e.g., a hotel server comprising one or moredatabases that store information about booking and reservations).Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacy and prevent fraud inany of a variety of ways well known in the art.

In some embodiments, a computer 110 may not be necessary and/orpreferred. For example, one or more embodiments may be practiced on astand-alone gaming device 130, a gaming device 130 in communication onlywith one or more other gaming devices 130, and/or a gaming device 130 incommunication with one or more contract kiosks 140 (i.e., without acomputer 110). In such embodiments, any functions described as performedby the computer 110 or data described as stored on the computer 110 mayinstead be performed by or stored on one or more gaming devices 130and/or by one or more contract kiosks 140.

In some embodiments, the contract kiosks 140 may not be necessary and/orpreferred. For example, one or more embodiments may be practiced on astand-alone gaming device 130, a gaming device 130 in communication onlywith one or more other gaming devices 130, and/or a gaming device 130 incommunication with computer 110 (i.e. without any contract kiosk 140).In such embodiments, any functions described as performed by a kiosk 140or data described as stored on a kiosk 140 may instead be performed byor stored on one or more gaming devices 130 and/or by computer 110.

In one or more embodiments, system 100 may include additional devices,such as one or more casino personnel devices, one or more additionalservers (e.g., a contract server, as described above, a hotelreservation server, and/or an inventory management server). One or morepoint-of-sale terminals associated with one or more merchants may alsobe included in system 100.

In some embodiments, various casino employees may be equipped with orotherwise utilize one or more casino personnel devices, such as PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA) devices or other computing devices (e.g.,personal computer terminals). A casino personnel device may comprisevarious input devices (e.g., a keypad, a touch-sensitive display screen,a card reader, an infrared bar code scanner, etc.), various outputdevices (e.g., an LCD screen), a processor, a memory and/or acommunications port, as described herein with respect to other devices.In some embodiments, a casino personnel device may communicate with agaming device, server, kiosk, peripheral device, and/or aninventory/reservation system of a casino-maintained property (e.g., ahotel). Thus, a casino personnel device may be configurable to, amongother things, (i) read from and/or write to one or more databases of thepresent invention, (ii) assist in payments made to players (e.g., arepresentative “scans” a cashless gaming receipt and determines a valueassociated with the receipt, and if the receipt is valid, providespayment equal to the value; a representative “swipes” a contract card todetermine whether or not a player is due a benefit), and/or (iii)execute or assist in the execution of various other processes describedherein. For example, a casino employee may utilize a casino personneldevice to (i) obtain, display and/or view information about availablecontracts, (ii) sell a contract to a player, (iii) determine a player'seligibility for a contract, (iv) determine a player's compliance with apreviously purchased contract, and/or (v) provide, or authorize theprovision of, a benefit defined by a contract to a player associatedwith the contract. In one or more embodiments, a casino personnel devicemay be operable to read data from and/or write data to one or more ofthe databases described herein. A memory of a casino personnel devicemay store a program for executing processes described herein, orportions thereof.

In some embodiments, various merchants (e.g., shops, restaurants, etc.)may utilize Point-Of-Sale (POS) computer terminals to facilitate variousprocesses of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, aplayer may receive a benefit defined by a contract in the form of acashless gaming ticket or other ticket, voucher or instrument redeemablefor an amount of currency. However, the ticket may alternately oradditionally be redeemable for an amount of credit at a particularmerchant location. Thus, in some embodiments, merchants may utilize POSterminals to redeem such vouchers. In some embodiments, such devices maybe configured to read from and/or write to one or more databases of thepresent invention. Such POS terminals may thus comprise various hardwareand software described herein with respect to other devices, and maycommunicate with (i) a casino server, (ii) a gaming device, (iii) aninventory/reservation system (e.g., a computer terminal at a theatrecommunicates with an inventory database to determine a number of unsoldseats for a certain event), (iv) a contract kiosk, and so on.

In some embodiments of the present invention, various component devices(e.g., any or all of the benefit output devices, output devices, inputdevices and/or input output devices described herein) may be embodied asperipheral devices. For example, such devices may not necessarily becomponents of a gaming device, though they may be configured in such amanner so as to communicate with one or more gaming device processors orany other devices described herein. For example, a peripheral devicesuch as a large display device may be associated with a plurality ofgaming devices, and thus may not necessarily be considered a componentof any one gaming device. Further, in some embodiments, certainperipheral devices such as card readers may be interchangeable betweengaming devices, and thus may be considered a component of a first gamingdevice while connected thereto, removed from the first gaming device,connected to a second gaming device, and so on. In other embodiments,various peripheral devices may never be considered a component of aparticular gaming device. For example, in some embodiments, a peripheraldevice such as a USB-based portable memory device may store (i) one ormore databases described herein, and/or (ii) a program for executing oneor more process steps described herein. Such a peripheral device maythen be utilized by casino personnel for upgrading/retrofitting existinggaming devices as described herein.

IV. Device Architecture

A. Controller

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is an embodiment 200 of acontroller operable to communicate with at least one gaming device(e.g., computer 110). Embodiment 200 is referred to as computer 200herein. The computer 200 may be implemented as a system controller, adedicated hardware circuit, an appropriately programmed general-purposecomputer, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical orelectro-mechanical device. The computer 200 may comprise, for example, aserver computer operable to communicate with one or more client devices,such as one or more gaming devices, one or more kiosks, one or moreperipheral devices, and/or one or more casino personnel devices. Thecomputer 200 may be operative to manage the system 100 execute some orall of the methods described herein.

In operation, the computer 200 may function under the control of acasino, another merchant, or other entity that may also control use ofthe gaming devices 130 and/or contract kiosks 140. For example, thecomputer 200 may be a slot server in a casino. In some embodiments, thecomputer 200 and a slot server may be different devices. In someembodiments, the computer 200 may comprise a plurality of computersoperating together. In some embodiments, the computer 200 and a contractserver may be the same device.

The computer 200 comprises a processor 205, such as one or more Intel®Pentium® processors. The processor 205 is in communication with a memory210 and a communications port 215 (e.g., for communicating with one ormore other devices). The memory 210 may comprise an appropriatecombination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and mayinclude, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory(ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk. The processor 205 and thememory 210 may each be, for example: (i) located entirely within asingle computer or other device; or (ii) connected to each other by aremote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone lineor radio frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the computer 200 maycomprise one or more devices that are connected to a remote servercomputer for maintaining databases.

The memory 210 stores a program 220 for controlling the processor 205.The processor 205 performs instructions of the program 220, and therebyoperates in accordance with the present invention, and particularly inaccordance with the methods described in detail herein. The program 220may be stored in a compressed, un-compiled and/or encrypted format. Theprogram 220 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary,such as an operating system, a database management system and “devicedrivers” for allowing the processor 205 to interface with computerperipheral devices. Appropriate program elements are known to thoseskilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein. Theprogram 220 may include computer program code that allows the computer200 to employ the communications port 215 to communicate with a gamingdevice (e.g., gaming device 300, described below) in order to, forexample:

1. track gambling activity performed at the gaming device;

2. track gaming activities of individual players;

3. track gaming session activities at the gaming device;

4. determine whether an identifier identifying a contract has beenprovided to the gaming device;

5. determine whether current play of the gaming device is covered undera contract;

6. determine whether the gaming device is eligible for contract play;

7. instruct the gaming device to perform one or more functions (e.g.,output a message and/or provide a benefit to a player);

8. determine whether play of the gaming device complies with terms of acontract; and/or

9. manage a contract play mode of the gaming device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the instructions ofthe program 220 may be read into a main memory from anothercomputer-readable medium, such from a ROM to RAM. Execution of sequencesof the instructions in program 220 causes processor 205 to perform theprocess steps described herein. In alternate embodiments, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, softwareinstructions for implementation of the processes of the presentinvention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not limited toany specific combination of hardware and software.

The memory 210 may also or alternatively store (i) a player database225; (ii) a player eligibility rules database 230; (iii) a gaming devicedatabase 235; (iv) a gaming device eligibility rules database 240; (v) agaming device status database 245; (vi) a contract customization rulesdatabase 250; (vii) an available contracts database 255; and (viii) apurchased contracts database 260. Each of the databases 225 through 260are described in more detail below.

Although the databases 225 through 260 are described as being stored ina memory of computer 200, in other embodiments some or all of thesedatabases may be partially or wholly stored, in lieu of or in additionto being stored in a memory of computer 200, in a memory of one or moreother devices. Such one or more other devices may comprise, for example,one or more peripheral devices, one or more contract kiosks 140, acontract server, one or more gaming devices, a slot server (if differentfrom the computer 200), another device, or a combination thereof.Further, some or all of the data described as being stored in the memory210 may be partially or wholly stored (in addition to or in lieu ofbeing stored in the memory 210) in a memory of one or more otherdevices. Such one or more other devices may comprise, for example, oneor more peripheral devices, one or more gaming devices, one or morecontract kiosks 140, a contract server, a slot server (if different fromcomputer 200), another device, or a combination thereof. In one or moreembodiments, memory 210 may store databases in addition to thosedescribed herein.

B. Gaming Device

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a block diagram of anexample embodiment 300 of a gaming device (e.g., a gaming device 130)that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments. Embodiment300 is referred to herein as gaming device 300.

The gaming device 300 may be implemented as a system controller, adedicated hardware circuit, an appropriately programmed general-purposecomputer, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical orelectro-mechanical device. The gaming device 300 may comprise, forexample, a slot machine, a video poker terminal, a video blackjackterminal, a video keno terminal, a video lottery terminal, a pachinkomachine or a table-top game (e.g., a mechanical or electro-mechanicaldevice may be associated with a table game and be operable by a playerand/or a dealer).

In some embodiments, a gaming device 300 may comprise, for example, apersonal computer (e.g., which may communicate with an online casino Website), a telephone (e.g., to communicate with an automated sports bookthat provides gaming services), and/or a portable handheld gaming device(e.g., a personal digital assistant, Nintendo™ GameBoy® or Sony™ PSP®, adedicated personal hand-held gaming device provided by a casino, or anycombination thereof). In some embodiments, a user device such as a PDAor cell phone may be used in place of, or in addition to, some or all ofthe gaming device 300 components depicted in FIG. 3. Further, a gamingdevice 300 may comprise a personal computer or other device operable tocommunicate with an online casino and facilitate game play at the onlinecasino. In one or more embodiments, the gaming device 300 may comprise acomputing device operable to execute software that simulates play of,for example, a reeled (mechanical or video) slot machine game, videopoker game, video blackjack game, video keno game, video roulette game,or lottery game. In another embodiment, a gaming device 300 may comprisea hand-held device operable to display the results of a table game, slotmachine game, keno game or other game being executed on a casino floor.

It should be noted that not all of the components described herein asbeing components of gaming device 300 may be necessary and/or preferredfor a gaming device operable to implement embodiments described herein.For example, in embodiments in which a gaming device comprises apersonal computer operable to access an online casino, a random numbergenerator may not be a component of the gaming device but may rather bea component of a server administering the online casino. In anotherexample, a gaming device that comprises a personal computer may notnecessarily include a benefit output device and/or a player-trackingdevice.

The gaming device 300 comprises a processor 305, such as one or moreIntel® Pentium® processors. The processor 305 is in communication with amemory 310 and a communications port 315 (e.g., for communicating withone or more other devices). The memory 310 may comprise an appropriatecombination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and mayinclude, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory(ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk. The memory 310 may comprise orinclude any type of computer-readable medium. The processor 305 and thememory 310 may each be, for example: (i) located entirely within asingle computer or other device; or (ii) connected to each other by aremote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone lineor radio frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the gaming device 300may comprise one or more devices that are connected to a remote servercomputer for maintaining databases.

The memory 310 stores a program 320 for controlling the processor 305.The processor 305 performs instructions of the program 320, and therebyoperates in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, andparticularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.The program 320 may be stored in a compressed, un-compiled and/orencrypted format. The program 320 may furthermore includes programelements that may be necessary, such as an operating system, a databasemanagement system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 305 tointerface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elementsare known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described indetail herein.

According to an embodiment described herein, the instructions of theprogram 320 may be read into a main memory from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as from a ROM to RAM. Execution ofsequences of the instructions in program 320 causes processor 305 toperform the process steps described herein. In some embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software instructions for implementation of the processes of the presentinvention. Thus, embodiments described herein are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware and software.

The memory 310 also stores a plurality of databases, including aprobability database 325 and a payout database 330. A probabilitydatabase may be stored in the memory 310 in tabular form, or any otherappropriate database form, as is well known in the art. The data storedtherein may include a number of exemplary records or entries, eachdefining a random number. Those skilled in the art will understand thatthe probability database may include any number of entries. The tabularrepresentation may also define fields for each of the entries orrecords. The fields may specify: (i) a random number (or range of randomnumbers) that may be generated by the random number generator; and (ii)an outcome that indicates the one or more indicia comprising the outcomethat corresponds to the random number of a particular record. A gamingdevice may utilize a probability database to determine, for example,what outcome corresponds to a random number generated by a random numbergenerator and to display the determined outcome. The outcomes maycomprise the three symbols to be displayed along the payline of athree-reel slot machine. Other arrangements of probability databases arepossible. For example, the book “Winning At Slot Machines” by Jim Regan(Carol Publishing Group Edition, 1997) illustrates examples of payoutand probability tables and how they may be derived. Such examples,concepts, and descriptions of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

A payout database may be stored in the data storage device in tabularform, or any other appropriate database form, as is well known in theart. The data stored therein includes a number of example records orentries, each defining an outcome that may be obtained on a gamingdevice that corresponds to a payout. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the payout database may include any number of entries.The tabular representation also defines fields for each of the entriesor records. The fields specify: (i) an outcome, which indicates the oneor more indicia comprising a given outcome; and (ii) a payout thatcorresponds to each respective outcome. The outcomes may be thoseobtained on a three-reel slot machine.

A gaming device may utilize the payout database to determine whether apayout should be output to a player as a result of an outcome obtainedfor a game. For example, after determining the outcome to output on thegaming device, the gaming device may access the payout database todetermine whether the outcome for output is one of the outcomes storedas corresponding to a payout. If it is, the gaming device may providethe corresponding payout to the player via a benefit output devicedescribed herein. Other arrangements of payout databases are possible.For example, the book “Winning At Slot Machines” by Jim Regan (CarolPublishing Group Edition, 1997) illustrates many examples of payout andprobability tables and how they may be derived. These concepts anddescriptions are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Additionally, the memory 310 may store (e.g., while a game play coveredunder a contract is being executed or while a session covered under acontract is being executed), information associated with the contract(e.g., an indication that a current game play is covered under acontract, an indication of compliance with the terms of a contract, anindication of a status of a contract, etc.), via, for example, a memorycaching or disk caching mechanism.

Although databases 325 and 330 are described as being stored in a gamingdevice 300, in other embodiments of the present invention some or all ofthese databases may be partially or wholly stored (in addition to or inlieu of being stored in gaming device 300) in one or more other devices.Such one or more other devices may comprise, for example, (i) one ormore peripheral devices, (ii) a peripheral device server, (iii) computer110, (iv) a kiosk 140 (v) another device, or (vi) a combination thereof.Further, some or all of the data described as being stored in thedatabases 325 and/or 330 may be partially or wholly stored (in additionto or in lieu of being stored in the gaming device 300) in a memory ofone or more other devices. Such one or more other devices may comprise,for example, (i) one or more peripheral devices, (ii) a peripheraldevice server, (iii) computer 110, (iv) a kiosk 140, (v) another device,or (vi) a combination thereof.

In one or more embodiments, as described below, data may be stored in amemory of another device (e.g., a database of computer 110 or a databaseof a kiosk 140). In one or more embodiments, gaming device 300 may beoperable to access the data thereof or have information associated withthe data stored therein downloaded to the gaming device as necessaryand/or appropriate. For example, gaming device 300 may access a memoryof another device to determine terms of a contract to determine whethera current game play is covered under the terms of the contract.

The processor 305 is also operable to communicate with a random numbergenerator 345, which may be a component of gaming device 300. The randomnumber generator 345, in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention, may generate data representing random orpseudo-random values (referred to as “random numbers” herein). Therandom number generator may generate a random number every predeterminedunit of time (e.g., every second) and/or in response to an event such asan initiation of a game play on the gaming device or receipt of a signalfrom another device. In the former embodiment, the generated randomnumbers may be used as they are generated (e.g., the random numbergenerated at substantially the time of game play initiation is used forthat game play) and/or stored for future use. A random number generatedby the random number generator may be used by the processor 305 todetermine, for example, an outcome for a game play, a payout associatedwith an outcome, and/or which of a plurality of payouts to provide asthe result of an outcome.

A random number generator, as used herein, may be embodied as aprocessor separate from but working in cooperation with processor 305.Alternatively, a random number generator may be embodied as analgorithm, program component, or software stored in the memory of gamingdevice 300 and used to generate a random number.

Note that, although the generation or obtainment of a random number isdescribed herein as involving a random number generator of a gamingdevice, other methods of determining a random number may be employed.For example, a gaming device owner or operator may obtain sets of randomnumbers that have been generated by another entity. HotBits™, forexample, is a service that provides random numbers that have beengenerated by timing successive pairs of radioactive decays detected by aGeiger-Muller tube interfaced to a computer. In another example, ablower mechanism that uses physical balls with numbers thereon may beused to determine a random number by randomly selecting one of the ballsand determining the number thereof.

In yet another example, another device remote from and/or distinct fromthe gaming device 300 (e.g., a computer 110) may include a random numbergenerator that generates random numbers to be provided to the gamingdevice 300. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device mayreceive random numbers and/or any other data related to the random orpseudo-random determination of an outcome from a separate device, suchas a server. It should be noted that such embodiments may beadvantageous in environments or jurisdictions wherein the “centraldetermination” of outcomes is required by regulation or otherwisepreferred. Thus, for example, outcomes may be determined centrally by aserver, and then propagated (e.g., electronically) such that indicationsof the outcomes may be viewed using one or more gaming devices (e.g.,“Class II” gaming devices, Video Lottery Terminals, and so on).

The processor 305 is also operable to communicate with a benefit outputdevice 350, which may be a component of gaming device 300. The benefitoutput device 350 may comprise one or more devices for outputting abenefit (e.g., a payout) to a player of the gaming device 300. It shouldbe noted that a benefit output by a gaming device may, in somecircumstances or embodiments, comprise a benefit defined by a contractthat a player has qualified to receive as a result of compliance withthe contract.

For example, in one embodiment the gaming device 300 may provide coinsand/or tokens as a benefit. In such an embodiment the benefit outputdevice 350 may comprise a hopper and hopper controller, for dispensingcoins and/or tokens into a coin tray of the gaming device 300.

In another example, the gaming device 300 may provide a receipt or otherdocument on which there is printed an indication of a benefit. Forexample, the gaming device may be operable to output one or morecash-out tickets. In such an embodiment the benefit output device 350may comprise a printing mechanism and a document dispensing mechanism.

In yet another example, the gaming device 300 may provide electroniccredits as a benefit (which, e.g., may be subsequently converted tocoins and/or tokens and dispensed from a hopper into a coin tray). Insuch an embodiment the benefit output device 350 may comprise a creditmeter balance and/or a processor that manages the amount of electroniccredits that is indicated on a display of a credit meter balance. Theprocessor may be the processor 305 or another processor.

In yet another example, the gaming device 300 may credit a monetaryamount to a financial account associated with a player as a benefitprovided to a player. The financial account may be, for example, acredit card account, a debit account, a charge account, a checkingaccount, or a casino account. In such an embodiment the benefit outputdevice 350 may comprise a device for communicating with a server onwhich the financial account is maintained.

Note that, in one or more embodiments, the gaming device 300 may includemore than one benefit output device 350 even though only one benefitoutput device is illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the gaming device300 may include each of (i) a hopper and hopper controller combination,(ii) a credit meter balance, and (iii) a document printing anddispensing combination. Such a gaming device may be operable to providemore than one type of benefit to a player of the gaming device.

A single benefit output device 350 may be operable to output more thanone type of benefit. For example, a benefit output device 350 may beoperable to increase the balance of credits in a credit meter andcommunicate with a remote device in order to increase the balance of afinancial account associated with a player.

The processor 305 is also operable to communicate with a display device355, which may be a component of gaming device 300. The display device355 may comprise, for example, one or more display screens or areas foroutputting information related to game play on the gaming device, suchas a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD)screen, or light emitting diode (LED) screen.

In one or more embodiments, gaming device 300 may comprise more than onedisplay device. For example, gaming device 300 may comprise an LCDdisplay for displaying electronic reels, a display area that displaysrotating mechanical reels, and an LED display of a player trackingdevice (e.g., such as player tracking device 360, described below) thatoutputs information to a player.

The processor 305 may also be in communication with one or more otheroutput devices besides the display device 355, for outputtinginformation (e.g., to a player or another device). Such other one ormore output devices may also be components of gaming device 300. Suchother one or more output devices may comprise, for example, an audiospeaker (e.g., for outputting audio information corresponding toaudio/video content), an infra-red transmitter, a radio transmitter, anelectric motor, a printer (e.g., such as for printing cashless gamingvouchers), a ticket or product dispenser, an infra-red port (e.g., forcommunicating with a second gaming device or a portable device of aplayer), a Braille computer monitor, and a coin or bill dispenser. Forgaming devices, common output devices include a CRT monitor on a videopoker machine, a bell on a gaming device (e.g., rings when a playerwins), an LED display of a player's credit balance on a gaming device,an LCD display of a PDA for displaying keno numbers.

The display device 355 may comprise, for example, one or more displayareas. For example, one of the display areas may display outcomes ofgames played on the gaming device (e.g., electronic reels of a gamingdevice). Another of the display areas may display rules for playing agame of the gaming device. Yet another of the display areas may displaythe benefits obtainable by playing a game of the gaming device (e.g., inthe form of one or more payout tables). In one or more embodiments, thegaming device 300 may include more than one display device, one or moreother output devices, or a combination thereof (e.g., two displaydevices and two audio speakers). In one embodiment, a first display areaand a second display area may comprise two distinct areas of the samedisplay device (e.g., a slit screen or a window within a screen, etc.).

The processor 305 is also in communication with an input device 365,which is a device that is capable of receiving an input (e.g., from aplayer or another device, such as a selection of an option or featureavailable on the gaming device, such as a selection of an episode of atelevision show) and which may be a component of gaming device 300. Aninput device may communicate with or be part of another device (e.g. acomputer 110, another gaming device, etc.). For example, a player mayuse a touch screen to indicate his desire to view contracts availablefor purchase and/or to view a status of a contract previously purchasedor entered into by the player.

Some examples of input devices include: a bar-code scanner, an opticalscanner configured to read other indicia of a voucher or cashless gamingticket, a CCD camera, a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., for reading dataencoded upon a player tracking card), a smart card reader (e.g., forreading data stored upon a smart card), a computer keyboard or keypad, abutton, a handle, a lever, a keypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, aninfrared sensor, a voice recognition module, a coin or bill acceptor, asonic ranger, a computer port, a video camera, a motion detector, adigital camera, a network card, a USB port, a GPS receiver, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) receiver, an RF receiver, a thermometer,a pressure sensor, an infrared port (e.g., for receiving communicationsfrom a second gaming device or from a another device such as a smartcard or PDA of a player), and a weight scale. For gaming devices, commoninput devices include a button or touch screen on a video poker machine,a lever or handle connected to the gaming device, a magnetic stripereader to read a player tracking card and/or contract card inserted intoa gaming device, a touch screen for input of player selections duringgame play, a paper ticket acceptor for accepting paper tickets such ascash-out tickets and a coin and bill acceptor.

In some embodiments, a gaming device may comprise components capable offacilitating both input and output functions (i.e., input/outputdevices). In one example, a touch-sensitive display screen comprises aninput/output device (e.g., the device outputs graphics and receivesselections from players). In another example, a processor maycommunicate with a “ticket-in/ticket-out” device configured to dispenseand receive cash-out tickets. Such a device may also assist in (e.g.,provide data so as to facilitate) various accounting functions (e.g.,ticket validation and redemption). For example, any or all of a gamingdevice, kiosk and casino personnel device maintained at a cashier cagemay (i) comprise such a benefit input/output device, and/or (ii)communicate with a central server that manages the accounting associatedwith such ticket-in/ticket-out transactions (e.g., so as to track theissuance, redemption and expiration of such tickets). One example ofticket-in/ticket-out technology that may be adapted or utilized toimplement embodiments described herein is the EZ Pay™ system, ismanufactured by International Gaming Technology (IGT)™, headquartered inReno, Nev.

Of course, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, agaming device may comprise various combinations of such componentdevices. For example, in one or more embodiments, the gaming device mayinclude more than one display device, one or more other output devices,several input devices, and so on (e.g., two display screens, two audiospeakers, a ticket-in/ticket-out device and several buttons).

The processor 305 is also in communication with a payment system 370,which may be a component of gaming device 300. The payment system 370 isa device capable of accepting payment from a player (e.g., a bet orinitiation of a balance, a payment in exchange for entering into acontract).

Exemplary methods of accepting payment by the payment system 370 include(i) receiving hard currency (i.e., coins or bills), and accordingly thepayment system 370 may comprise a coin or bill acceptor; (ii) receivingan alternate currency (e.g., a cash-out ticket, a coupon, anon-negotiable token), and accordingly the payment system 370 maycomprise a bar code reader or other sensing means; (iii) receiving apayment identifier (e.g., a credit card number, a debit card number, aplayer tracking card number, a code via a keypad or touch-screen); (iv)receiving a smart card having an indication of an amount of currencystored thereon; and (v) determining that a player has performed avalue-added activity (e.g., participating in surveys, monitoring remoteimages for security purposes, referring friends to the casino).

The processor 305 is further operable to communicate with a playertracking device 360, which may be a component of gaming device 300.Player tracking device 360 may, in one or more embodiments, comprise areader device operable to read information from and/or write informationto a card such as a smart card and/or a player tracking card, such that(i) players may be identified, and (ii) various data associated withplayers may then be determined. For example, a contract previouslyentered into by the player may be identified, a status of the contractmay be determined, a number of cashable credits available to the playermay be determined, a number of promotional credits that may not beredeemed for cash but that are associated with the player may bedetermined, a code or other indication of a benefit to be provided tothe player may be determined, a number of accumulated loyalty pointsassociated with the player may be determined, a number of accumulatedgame elements such as symbols, cards or hands associated with the playermay be determined, etc. In one example, a card reader device maydetermine an identifier associated with a player (e.g., by reading aplayer tracking card comprising an encoded version of the identifier),such that the gaming device may then access data (e.g., of a playerdatabase, a session database) associated with the player. In anotherexample, a smart card reader device may determine data associated with aplayer directly by accessing a memory of an inserted smart card.

As described in more detail below, player database may be used, forexample, to store player wager data (e.g., such that players wageringover a given threshold in a given amount of time may be rewarded fortheir patronage, qualify for a particular gaming contract, and so on).The player database may also contain other information that may beuseful in, for example, promoting and managing player behaviors (e.g.,information about the player's gaming preferences, lodging arrangements,and the like). Further, the player database may store data regarding agiven player's standing in a game session, gaming contract or bonusgame, so that the player can continue the game session, gaming contractor bonus game at a plurality of game machines that have common access tothe player database. Such player data may be stored in a relationaldatabase and retrieved or otherwise accessed by the processor afterreceiving a “key” data point from the player, such as a uniqueidentifier read from the player's player tracking card, contract card orcashout ticket.

In one embodiment, a player tracking device 360 may be operable to readan identifier that uniquely identifies a contract. For example, a cardinserted into the player tracking device may have a contract identifierstored thereon, which contract identifier may be readable by the playertracking device 360. The player tracking device 360 may further beoperable to retrieve data (e.g., from computer 110, a contract kiosk 140and/or a contract server) associated with the contract and/or output anindication of the data.

In one embodiment, the player tracking device may comprise (i) a cardreader (e.g., a port into which player tracking cards may be inserted),(ii) various input devices (e.g., a keypad, a touch-screen), (iii)various output devices (e.g., a small, full-color display screen),and/or (iv) combinations thereof (e.g., a touch-sensitive display screenthat accommodates both input and output functions). Various commerciallyavailable devices may be suitable for such an application, such as theNextGen™ interactive player tracking panel manufactured by IGT™ or theiVIEW™ display screen manufactured by Bally® Gaming and Systems.

As known in the art, “smart cards” may incorporate (i) a memory, and(ii) means for accessing such a memory. For example, in one embodiment,the memory may store data related to aspects of the present invention.In one embodiment, data may be written to the smart card as a playerplays one or more gaming devices (e.g., such that various data may beupdated on a continuous, periodic or event-triggered bases).Accordingly, in one or more embodiments one or more devices operable tocarry out various processes of the present invention (e.g., a gamingdevice or kiosk) may have associated therewith a smart card readerdevice, such that data may be read from the smart card pursuant to theexecution of such processes. An example of a smart card system that maybe used to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention isthe s-Choice™ Smart Card Casino Management System from Smart CardIntegrators, Inc.™.

Of course, other non-card-based methods of identifying players and/orcontracts are contemplated. For example, a unique identification codemay be associated with the player and/or contract. The player and/orcontract may then be identified upon entering the code. For example, thecode may be stored (e.g., within a database maintained within the gamingdevice, a contract kiosk 140, a contract server and/or a computer 110)such that the player may enter the code using an input device of agaming device, and accordingly allow the player and/or contract to beuniquely identified. In other embodiments, player biometrics may serveas identification means (e.g., a player and/or contract is identifiedvia a thumbprint or retinal scan of the player). In further embodiments,a barcode of a cashless gaming ticket may encode a player identifierand/or a contract identifier.

Thus, as described, various data associated with a player may be trackedand stored (e.g., in an appropriate record of a centrally-maintaineddatabase), such that it may be accessed as desired (e.g., when enteringinto a contract with a player, when determining a player's compliancewith a contract, when determining promotional offers, contract and/orrewards to be provided or offered to a player, when determining thestatus of player with respect to a particular game, contract or periodof gambling activity, and so on). Further, various statistics may bemeasured in association with a player (e.g., coin-in statistics,win/loss statistics, buy-in amount for a session) and similarlyaccessed.

Various systems for facilitating such monitoring of player behavior andactivity are contemplated. For example, a two-wire system such as oneoffered by IGT™ may be used. Similarly, a protocol such as the IGT™ SAS™protocol or the IGT™ SuperSAS™ protocol may be used. The SAS™ protocoland the SuperSAS™ protocol each allows for communication between gamingmachines and slot accounting systems and provides a secure method ofcommunicating all necessary data supplied by the gaming device to theonline monitoring system. One aspect of the SAS™ protocol and theSuperSAS™ protocol that may be beneficial in implementing aspects of thepresent invention is the authentication function which allows operatorsand regulators to remotely interrogate gaming devices for importantmemory verification information, for both game programs, and peripheraldevices. In another example, a one-wire system such as the OASIS™ Systemoffered by Aristocrat Technologies™ or the SDS slot-floor monitoringsystem offered by Bally Gaming and Systems™ may be used. Each of thesystems described above is an integrated information system thatcontinually monitors slot machines and customer gaming activity. Thus,for example, any one of these systems may be used to monitor a player'sgaming activity in order to determine player outcomes, buy-in amounts,coin-in statistics, win/loss statistics and/or any other data deemedrelevant.

In one embodiment, a player may operate a plurality of gaming devices.For example, a player may simultaneously play two side-by-side gamingdevices, a player may play one gaming device (e.g. a gaming device) andthen continue his gaming session at another gaming device (e.g. a videopoker machine), and a player may remotely operate a gaming device,possibly by using a telephone, PDA or other device (i) to transmitcommands (directly or indirectly) to the gaming device, such as wageramounts and commands to select certain cards; and/or (ii) to receiveoutput (directly or indirectly) from the gaming device.

In one embodiment, a gaming device may allow a player to play a game ofskill rather than a game of chance. Such an embodiment may be moreappealing to certain players or may be permitted in areas where it isillegal to gamble on games of chance.

In one or more embodiments, aspects of the present invention, such asfacilitating play of a gaming device under the terms of a contract(e.g., providing a benefit during a period of time defined by thecontract and/or monitoring the play to determine compliance with thecontract), may be practiced by replacing and/or augmenting one or morecomponents (e.g., hardware and/or software components) of an existinggaming device. Thus, in one or more embodiments, the invention may beapplied as a retrofit or upgrade to existing gaming devices currentlyavailable for play within various casinos.

For example, a memory (e.g., computer chip) of the gaming device may bereplaced or added, the replacement or additional memory storing aprogram for instructing the processor of the gaming device to operate inaccordance with one or more embodiments. In another example, data outputvia the gaming device (e.g., graphical and/or textual data displayed onthe gaming device) may be replaced or added, the replacement oradditional data indicating to a player information relevant to one ormore aspects of the present invention.

In a specific example, a gaming device may comprise various electroniccomponents mounted to one or more Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) devices.Such components may include various hardware described herein, such as acommunications port and various controllers of peripheral devices (e.g.,a display controller), as well as a memory for storing programminginstructions (software) and a processor for carrying out suchinstructions. Forms of memory that may be found in a gaming deviceinclude Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM),Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) and flash memory. Thus,in one or more embodiments of the present invention, an EPROM storingsoftware with instructions for carrying out aspects of the presentinvention (as well as instructions for carrying out other functionstraditionally performed by the gaming device) may replace an EPROMpreviously installed in a gaming device or may be reprogrammed inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein, such that thegaming device may be configured to operate in accordance with variousprocesses described herein.

For example, a “contract play” module may be made available for purchaseto various casino operators. The module, which may comprise varioushardware and software (e.g., an EEPROM storing software instructions),may be installed in an existing gaming device (e.g., a video-reel slotmachine, a video poker machine, etc.), such that when the module isinstalled, players of the device may elect (i) to play the gaming devicein a manner that does not incorporate embodiments described herein, or(ii) to play the gaming device in a manner that incorporates embodimentsdescribed herein (e.g., be eligible for a benefit defined by acontract). Thus, players who are familiar with operating a gaming devicemay elect to pay for them in a different or similar manner as they areaccustomed to.

Accordingly, a gaming device may be configured to allow a player toselect one of two “modes” of the gaming device, and to enable theselected mode. If a player selects a “standard” mode, the gaming devicemay be configured to operate in a manner similar to how it operatedbefore the installation of the module (e.g., the gaming device operatesin a conventional manner, such that embodiments described herein may notbe utilized). If a player selects “contract play” mode, the gamingdevice may then be operable to execute game play in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

In one example of allowing a player to select one or more modes, atouch-sensitive display screen may be configured to output a promptasking a player to select a mode of operation. Such a prompt may beoutput in occurrence to various trigger conditions (e.g., coins, billsor tickets are inserted; a credit balance increases from zero to someother number; a player presses a “play” button; a motion, weight,infrared or other sensor detects the presence of a player; etc.).Accordingly, a player may select a mode of operation (e.g., by pressingan appropriately labeled icon of a touch-sensitive display screen), andupon receiving the player's selection, the gaming device may beconfigured to operate in the selected mode.

In another embodiment, a gaming device may be operable to automaticallydetermine whether it should switch modes from a standard mode to a“contract play” mode. A gaming device may perform such a determination,for example, by evaluating data received from a player and/or anotherdevice and/or by querying another device. For example, a gaming devicemay be programmed to determine (e.g., upon receiving a player identifierand based upon the player identifier) whether the player currentlyplaying the gaming device has entered into a contract. In anotherembodiment, a gaming device may be programmed to recognize that a playerhas entered a contract identifier into the gaming device. Upondetermining that a player has previously entered into or purchased acontract, a gaming device may further be programmed to determine astatus of the contract and/or whether a current game play of the gamingdevice is covered under the terms of the contract. For example, thegaming device may be programmed to access data (e.g., the terms of thecontract) stored on another device (e.g., a contract kiosk 140, acontract server, computer 110, etc.) or query such other device for ananswer to the determination. If the gaming device determines thatcurrent play of the gaming device qualifies for coverage under the termsof the contract, the gaming device may switch from a standard mode to a“contract play” mode. In “contract play” mode, for example, a gamingdevice may be operable to transmit information associated with the gameplays being conducted to another device to enable the other device todetermine compliance with the contract and/or to locally determinecompliance with the contract. In one embodiment, a gaming device may beoperable to output an indication that it is currently in “contract play”mode (e.g., to inform a player that the current play of the gamingdevice is covered under the terms of a contract). For example, thegaming device may turn on a light, change graphics, output a sound, etc.

In other embodiments, as described, a peripheral device may be usefulfor implementing one or more embodiments of the present invention intothe operation of a conventional gaming device. For example, in order toavoid or minimize the necessity of modifying or replacing a programalready stored in a memory of a conventional gaming device, an externalor internal module that comprises a peripheral device may be insertedin, connected to or otherwise associated with the gaming device. Such aperipheral device may be operable to, for example, monitor and/ortransmit information about a player's gambling activity at the gamingdevice to another device (e.g., computer 110, a kiosk 140 and/or acontract server). The peripheral device may monitor and/or transmit suchinformation to enable a determination of compliance with the terms of acontract.

In still further embodiments, rather than configure existing gamingdevices to execute embodiments described herein by installing orconnecting new hardware and/or software, software may be downloaded intoan existing memory of one or more gaming devices. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 6,805,634 to Wells et al. teaches methods for downloading data togaming devices in such a manner. Such methods, concepts, anddescriptions of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Thus,in some embodiments, an existing gaming device may be reprogrammed toaccommodate new functionality of the present invention without the need,or by minimizing the need, to remove and replace hardware within thegaming device.

In one embodiment, a gaming device 300 or another device operable tocarry out one or more embodiments described herein (e.g., a contractkiosk 140) may be operable to output a menu of available contracts to aplayer via a player interface. A player interface may comprise, forexample, a video screen that is a touch screen operable to display suchone or more such menus. A menu so displayed to a player may provide theplayer with, for example, a choice of whether to play the gaming devicein a conventional manner or in a manner consistent with one or moreembodiments described herein. In another example, a menu so displayed toa player may provide the player with available contracts, contractswhich the player has previously entered into and/or contracts for whichthe player is currently eligible. A player may be presented with a menuof options via a touch screen, for example, upon indicating a desire toconsider options available via such a menu and/or upon initiating playat the gaming device 300. A player may select an option from such a menuby touching the area of the screen on which the option appears.

It should be appreciated that one or more embodiments may includestoring graphic and/or sound elements that are used to construct themenu of available options. These elements may be store, for example, inEEPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD ROM, or in any other suitablestorage device. The menu may be displayed via any suitable displaydevice, such as a CRT, LCD, VFC, LED display. In one embodiment, themenu may be implemented using only dedicated electromechanical switches.In one embodiment, a player operates an input device of the deviceoperable to display the menu, in order to cause the menu to bedisplayed. In one embodiment, the device includes a touch screen and atouch screen controller (not shown) associated with a video monitordisplay device. The touch screen and touch screen controller may beoperable to communicate with a video controller of the video monitordisplay device and a processor (e.g., a processor of gaming device 300).Thus, a player may be enabled to indicate decisions (e.g., whichcontract the player desires to view more detailed information about,which contract the player desires to purchase, which contract the playerdesires to reconcile, etc.) by touching the touch screen in theappropriate places.

In one embodiment, display of the menu preempts display of otherinformation. For example, in one embodiment the same display device orscreen used to display indicia indicative of an outcome by displayingthe indicia as disposed along a payline during active game play may beused to display a menu of available contracts to a player upon anindication of a player to view the menu. In another embodiment, adedicated display device or screen may be used to display a menu ofavailable contracts on a continuous, periodic, or other basis.

V. Data Structures

Example structures and sample contents of the (i) a player database 225;(ii) a player eligibility rules database 230; (iii) a gaming devicedatabase 235; (iv) a gaming device eligibility rules database 240; (v) agaming device status database 245; (vi) a contract eligibility rulesdatabase 250; and (vii) a purchased contracts database 255 are shown inFIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10,respectively. The specific data and fields illustrated in these drawingsrepresent only some embodiments of the records stored in the databasesdescribed herein. The data and fields of these databases can be readilymodified, for example, to include more or fewer data fields. A singledatabase also may be employed. Note that in the databases, a differentreference numeral is employed to identify each field of each database.However, in at least one embodiment, fields that are similarly named(e.g., session identifier fields) store similar or the same data in asimilar or in the same data format.

The databases 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 and 255 are described indetail below and example structures are depicted with sample entries inthe accompanying figures. As will be understood by those skilled in theart, the schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions of thesample databases presented herein are exemplary arrangements for storedrepresentations of information. Any number of other arrangements may beemployed besides those suggested by the tables shown. For example, eventhough seven separate databases are illustrated, the invention could bepracticed effectively using one, two, three, four, five, six, eight ormore functionally equivalent databases. Similarly, the illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; thoseskilled in the art will understand that the number and content of theentries can be different from those illustrated herein. Further, despitethe depiction of the databases as tables, an object-based model could beused to store and manipulate the data types of the present invention andlikewise, object methods or behaviors can be used to implement theprocesses of the present invention.

It should also be noted that some or all of the data or types of dataillustrated in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and/orFIG. 10 may be stored and managed in individual ones of the gamingdevices 130, the contract kiosks 140, and/or a contract server, and maybe used therein to manage, control and/or monitor contract play modes ofthe gaming devices 130.

A. Player Database

Referring now to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, illustrated therein is a tabularrepresentation 400 of an example embodiment of a player database 225.Tabular representation 400 is referred to herein as player database 400.The player database 400 may be utilized by a device (e.g., a computer110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device 130 and/or a contract server) to storeand/or access information about players who are members of a loyaltyclub administered by a casino. As is well known, most casinos offersrewards (e.g., comp points) to players in exchange for the playersproviding personal information about themselves, being assigned a uniqueplayer tracking number, and allowing their gambling and/or otheractivities in the casino to be tracked. The data in the player database400 may be input by, for example, a casino employee and/or a device(e.g., a gaming device 130, a computer 110, a contract kiosk 140, and/ora contract server). The data may be updated by one or more of theseentities as well.

For example, upon a player signing up for a casino's loyalty club, arecord may be opened for the player in the player database, the recordbeing uniquely identifiable based on the player identifier assigned tothe player. A device and/or person may access the player database 400 todetermine, for example, whether a player is eligible for a contract;and/or whether an active contract is associated with the player. Inanother example, the player database 400 may be accessed by a deviceand/or person in order to update information associated with a player(e.g., to store an indication of a contract entered into by the player,to update the total amount wagered by the player, etc.).

The player database 400 includes a number of example records or entries,including records R400-1 through R400-4, each defining a player who hasassociated therewith a unique player identifier. Those skilled in theart will understand that the player database 400 may include any numberof entries. The player database 400 also defines fields for each of theentries or records. The fields specify: (i) a player identifier 402;(ii) a player name 404; (iii) a player address 406 that stores a postaladdress and/or other contact information associated with a player; (iv)a member since 408 that indicates a date at which the player joined thecasino loyalty club; (v) a total wagered 410 that indicates a sum ofwagers posted by the player within a specified period of time (e.g.,since the player joined the loyalty club); (vi) a theoretical win 412 ofthe player; (vii) an active contract(s) 414 that indicates a contractidentifier for any currently active contract (e.g., any contractpreviously entered by the player that is not yet expired, not yetcompleted, not yet reconciled, etc); (viii) an expired contracts 416that stores an indication of contracts previously entered into by theplayer that are currently expired or otherwise inactive (e.g., theduration of the contract has elapsed or the contract has otherwise beencompleted, fulfilled or terminated); and (ix) a hotel guest? 418indication that indicates whether the player is currently registered asa guest in a hotel associated with the casino administering the loyaltyclub.

In one embodiment, a player database may not store an indication ofcontracts associated with a player. This information may instead bestored in a separate database, such as a purchased contracts database asdescribed below.

To illustrate a usage of player database 400, assume a player hasrequested to purchase a contract which only players of a certain statusare eligible to purchase (e.g., only players who are currentlyregistered as hotel guests). In this example, a player database may beaccessed to determine, based on the information stored in field 418,whether the player is eligible to purchase the requested contract. Toillustrate another usage of the player database 400, assume a player hasinserted a player tracking card into a gaming device. A computer 400 oranother device may determine, based on the player identifier of theplayer tracking card, whether the player's play of the gaming device iscovered under a contract by, for example, (i) determining whether theplayer is associated with a currently active contract, based on theinformation stored in field 414; and (ii) determining the terms of thecontract (e.g., by accessing another database, such as a purchasedcontracts database 255, which is described below with respect to FIG.10).

A player database may be used, for example, to store player wager data(e.g., such that players wagering over a given threshold in a givenamount of time may be rewarded for their patronage, qualify for aparticular gaming contract, and so on). The player database may alsocontain other information that may be useful in, for example, promotingand managing player behaviors (e.g., information about the player'sgaming preferences, lodging arrangements, and the like). Further, theplayer database may store data regarding a given player's standing in agame session, gaming contract or bonus game, so that the player cancontinue the game session, gaming contract or bonus game at a pluralityof game machines that have common access to the player database. Suchplayer data may be stored in a relational database and retrieved orotherwise accessed by the processor after receiving a “key” data pointfrom the player, such as a unique identifier read from the player'splayer tracking card, contract card or cashout ticket. The playerdatabase 400 may also store additional or different information fromthat described. For example, the player database may store informationabout an average wager amount posted by a player; games, features orother play options preferred by the player; gambling habits of theplayer; etc.

B. Player Eligibility Rules Database

Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is a tabular representation500 of a player eligibility rules 230. Tabular representation 500 isreferred to herein as player eligibility rules database 500. The playereligibility rules database 500 may be utilized by a device (e.g., acomputer 110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device 130 and/or a contract server)to store and/or access information about rules based on which it isdetermined whether a player is eligible to enter into contract. Inaccordance with one embodiment, only certain players are eligible toenter into contracts at all or into particular contracts. In otherembodiments, player eligibility rules database 500 may not be usedbecause all players may be eligible to enter into any availablecontract. The data in the player eligibility rules database 500 may beinput by, for example, a casino employee and/or a device (e.g., a gamingdevice 130, a computer 110, a contract kiosk 140, and/or a contractserver). The data may be updated by one or more of these entities aswell.

The player eligibility database 500 includes a number of example recordsor entries, including records R500-1 through R500-4, each defining arule in accordance with which it may be determined whether a player iseligible to enter into a contract. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the player eligibility rules database 500 may includeany number of entries. The player eligibility rules database 500 alsodefines fields for each of the entries or records. The fields specify:(i) a player eligibility rule identifier 502 that identifies (e.g.,uniquely) a rule based on which it may be determined whether a player iseligible to enter into a contract; (ii) condition(s) 504 that specify acondition of a corresponding rule; (iii) an eligibility 506 thatindicates a player's eligibility to enter into a contract if thecorresponding condition(s) is satisfied; and (iv) a rule status 508 thatindicates whether a rule is currently enabled (i.e., to be applied in adetermination of whether a player is eligible to enter into a contract)or is disabled (i.e., is not to be applied in a determination of whethera player is eligible to enter into a contract). In one embodiment,casino personnel may enable a particular rule at certain desired timeand may disable the rule at another time. In one embodiment, a rule maybe enabled and/or disabled based on a schedule or other basis programmedinto a device. For example, a computer 110 may be programmed to enable arule if certain condition(s) are satisfied.

Thus, for example, record R500-1 indicates that, based on rule “R-001”,a player who is not a hotel guest or does not have a guest pass is noteligible to enter into any available contract.

It should be noted that, in one embodiment, a player eligibility rulemay be associated with one or more particular contracts, such that itmay only be applied in a determination of whether a player is eligibleto enter into the one or more particular contracts. This may becontrasted with another embodiment in which a rule may be of generalapplicability, such that it may be applied in a determination of whethera player is eligible to enter into any contract at all. In oneembodiment, a player eligibility rules database may store some rulesthat are associated with one or more particular contracts and some rulesthat are of general applicability. In another embodiment, a rule thatapplies to a particular contract may be stored in a record of anotherdatabase, such as database storing information on available contracts.For example, a record defining a particular contract available forpurchase may store one or more player eligibility rules based on whichit may be determined whether a player is eligible to purchase theparticular contract.

To illustrate a usage of player eligibility rules database 500, assume aplayer has indicated a desire to enter into a contract. Based on rule“R-001” of player eligibility rules database 500 it may be determinedthat the player is not eligible to enter into any contract if the playeris not a hotel guest or does not have a guest pass. Thus, the player'splayer identifier may be requested and used to determine whether theplayer is a hotel guest (e.g., is currently registered as a guest in ahotel associated with the casino at which the player is attempting toenter into a contract) or has a guest pass. For example, the playerdatabase 400 and/or a hotel reservation system may be accessed todetermine this information. If it is determined that the player is not ahotel guest or does not have a guest pass, it may be determined that,under rule “R-001”, the player is not eligible to enter into anycontract. Of course, the player may be eligible to enter into a contractunder another rule that is currently enabled. Accordingly, each of theenabled rules in the player eligibility rules database 500 may beevaluated in turn to determine whether the player is eligible to enterinto a contract. It should be noted that player eligibility rulesdatabase 500 may be accessed, for purposes of the determinationdescribed immediately above or for other purposes, by casino personneland/or a device (e.g., a contract kiosk 140, a gaming device 130,computer 110, a contract server, another device, or a combinationthereof).

C. Gaming Device Database

Referring now to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, illustrated therein is a tabularrepresentation 600 of a gaming device database 235. Tabularrepresentation 600 is referred to herein as gaming device database 600.The gaming device database 600 may be utilized by a device (e.g., acomputer 110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device 130 and/or a contract server)to store and/or access information about gaming devices (e.g., gamingdevices that may be available for contract play). The data in the gamingdevice database 600 may be input by, for example, a casino employeeand/or a device (e.g., a gaming device 130, a computer 110, a contractkiosk 140, and/or a contract server). The data may be updated by one ormore of these entities as well. For example, a casino employee may entera record for a new gaming device once a new gaming device becomesavailable. In another example, a gaming device may update data in arecord associated with the gaming device based on upgrades and/or otherchanges to the gaming device.

The gaming device database 600 includes a number of example records orentries, including records R600-1 through R600-4, each defining a gamingdevice that may be part of system 100. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the gaming device database 600 may include any number ofentries. The gaming device database 600 also defines fields for each ofthe entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a gaming deviceidentifier 602 that (e.g., uniquely) identifies a gaming device orgaming device type; (ii) a game name 604 that specifies a name of a gameplayable on the corresponding gaming device (in one or more embodimentsmore than one game may be playable on a gaming device); (iii) amanufacturer 606 of the gaming device; (iv) a location 608 of a gamingdevice (e.g., a geographic location within a casino property); (v) agame type 610 that indicates a type of game(s) playable on the gamingdevice; (vi) a standard deviation 612 associated with the gaming device(as will be described further herein); (vii) a payout percentage 614 ofthe gaming device; (viii) a top jackpot 616 (in terms of number ofcredits) available for winning on the gaming device; and (ix) adenomination 618 accepted by the gaming device.

To illustrate a usage of gaming device database 600, assume a player hasindicated a desire to play a gaming device under the terms of a contract(e.g., the player has provided a contract identifier to the gamingdevice). The gaming device database 600 may be accessed to determinewhether play of the gaming device qualifies for coverage under thecontract. For example, a term of the contract (which may be determinedbased on the contract identifier provided by the player) may specifythat the contract only covers play on video poker machines. If it isdetermined that the gaming device which the player is attempting to playis not a video poker gaming device (e.g., based on the gaming deviceidentifier, which may be received along with the contract identifier bya device performing this determination, if such a device is not thegaming device itself), it may be concluded that play of the gamingdevice will not be covered under the contract. The player may benotified of this conclusion (e.g., a warning message may be output tothe player).

D. Gaming Device Eligibility Rules Database

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is a tabular representation700 of a gaming device eligibility rules database 240. Tabularrepresentation 700 is referred to herein as gaming device eligibilityrules database 700. The gaming device eligibility rules database 700 maybe utilized by a device (e.g., a computer 110, a kiosk 140, a gamingdevice 130 and/or a contract server) to determine whether a gamingdevice is eligible for contract play. A gaming device being eligible forcontract play may mean, for example, that play of the gaming device will(i) qualify for coverage under the terms of a contract, (ii) aid aplayer in complying with one or more terms of a contract and/or (iii)aid a player in earning or otherwise qualifying for a benefit defined bya contract. The data in the gaming device eligibility rules database 700may be input by, for example, a casino employee and/or a device (e.g., agaming device 130, a computer 110, a contract kiosk 140, and/or acontract server). The data may be updated by one or more of theseentities as well.

The gaming device eligibility rules database 700 includes a number ofexample records or entries, including records R700-1 through R700-4,each defining a rule based on which it may be determined whether agaming device is eligible for contract play. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the gaming device eligibility rules database 700may include any number of entries. The gaming device eligibility rulesdatabase 700 also defines fields for each of the entries or records. Thefields specify: (i) a gaming device eligibility rule identifier 702 that(e.g., uniquely) identifies a rule in accordance with which adetermination may be made as to whether a gaming device is eligible forcontract play; (ii) a condition(s) 704 that specifies one or moreconditions to be satisfied and/or one or more characteristic(s) of agaming device; (iii) an eligibility 706 that indicate whether (if thecorresponding condition is satisfied or a gaming device is determine topossess the corresponding characteristic) a gaming device is eligiblefor contract play; and (iv) a rule status 708 that indicates whether arule is currently enabled (i.e., to be applied in a determination ofwhether a gaming device is eligible for contract play) or disabled(i.e., not to be applied in a determination of whether a gaming deviceis eligible for contract play). In one embodiment, casino personnel mayenable a particular rule at certain desired time and may disable therule at another time. In one embodiment, a rule may be enabled and/ordisabled based on a schedule or other basis programmed into a device.For example, a computer 110 may be programmed to enable a rule ifcertain condition(s) are satisfied.

Thus, for example, record R700-1 indicates that, based on rule “R-001”,a gaming device that contributes to a progressive jackpot is noteligible for contract play.

It should be noted that, in one embodiment, a gaming device eligibilityrule may be associated with one or more particular contracts, such thatit may only be applied in a determination of whether a gaming device iseligible for contract play under the one or more particular contracts(e.g., whether play of the gaming device will be covered under the termsof the one or more particular contracts). This may be contrasted withanother embodiment in which a rule may be of general applicability, suchthat it may be applied in a determination of whether a gaming device iseligible for contract play under any contract at all. In one embodiment,a gaming device eligibility rules database may store some rules that areassociated with one or more particular contracts and some rules that areof general applicability. In another embodiment, a rule that applies toa particular contract may be stored in a record of another database,such as database storing information on available contracts. Forexample, a record defining a particular contract available for purchasemay store one or more gaming device eligibility rules based on which itmay be determined whether a particular gaming device is eligible forcontract play under the particular contract.

To illustrate a usage of gaming device eligibility rules database 700,assume a player has indicated a desire to play a gaming device under theterms of a contract (e.g., the player has provided a contract identifierto the gaming device). The gaming device eligibility rules database 700may be accessed to determine whether play of the gaming device qualifiesfor coverage under the contract. For example, rule “R-002” may beapplied to determine whether the gaming device the player is attemptingto play has a payback percentage of greater than ninety-five percent(95%). This may be determined based on the gaming device identifier ofthe gaming device the player is attempting to play, which may have beenreceived from the gaming device and by the device that is performing thegaming device eligibility determination (if the device is different fromthe gaming device). For example, the gaming device database 600 may beaccessed and field 614 of the record corresponding to the gaming deviceidentifier may be analyzed to determine the payback percentage of thegaming device. If it is determined that the gaming device which theplayer is attempting to play has a payback percentage that is greaterthan ninety-five percent (95%), it may be concluded that play of thegaming device will not be covered under the contract and that the gamingdevice is not eligible for contract play. The player may be notified ofthis conclusion (e.g., a warning message may be output to the player).

E. Gaming Device Status Database

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is a tabular representation800 of a gaming device status database 245. Tabular representation 800is referred to herein as gaming device status database 800. The gamingdevice status database 800 may be utilized by a device (e.g., a computer110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device 130 and/or a contract server) to storeand/or access information about a current status of the gaming device(e.g., whether the gaming device is currently in use). The data in thegaming device status database 800 may be input by, for example, a casinoemployee and/or a device (e.g., a gaming device 130, a computer 110, acontract kiosk 140, and/or a contract server). The data may be updatedby one or more of these entities as well. For example, a gaming devicemay update data in a record associated with the gaming device based on achange in its current status (e.g., when a player initiates play on thegaming device, the gaming device may transmit a signal that indicates itis currently in use, which signal may be received by controller 200 andused to update the status in the appropriate record of the gaming devicestatus database 800).

The gaming device status database 800 includes a number of examplerecords or entries, including records R800-1 through R8004, eachdefining a status of a gaming device that may be part of system 100.Those skilled in the art will understand that the gaming device statusdatabase 800 may include any number of entries. The gaming device statusdatabase 800 also defines fields for each of the entries or records. Thefields specify: (i) a gaming device identifier 802 that (e.g., uniquely)identifies a particular gaming device that may be located on a casinoproperty or otherwise controlled by an entity practicing aspects of thepresent invention; (ii) a gaming device type identifier 804 thatidentifies (e.g., uniquely) the type of gaming device; and (iii) agaming device status 806 that indicates a status of the gaming device(e.g., whether the gaming device is currently in use or is currently notin use). Other example statuses of a gaming device that may be stored inthe gaming device status database 800 include an indication of whether agaming device is currently off-line, is currently being serviced, and/oris currently engaged in contract play.

To illustrate a usage of gaming device status database 800, assume aplayer has indicated a desire to purchase a contract to cover game playon a particular gaming device. The gaming device status database 800 maybe accessed to determine whether to authorize the sale of the contractto the player, based on whether the gaming device is currently in use.

F. Contract Customization Rules Database

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is a tabular representation900 of a contract customization rules database 250. Tabularrepresentation 900 is referred to herein as contract customization rulesdatabase 900. The contract customization rules database 900 may beutilized by a device (e.g., a computer 110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device130 and/or a contract server) to store and/or access information aboutmanners in which a player may build or customize a contract. The data inthe contract customization rules database 900 may be input by, forexample, a casino employee and/or a device (e.g., a gaming device 130, acomputer 110, a contract kiosk 140, and/or a contract server).

The contract customization rules database 900 includes a number ofexample records or entries, including records R900-1 through R900-4,each defining respective boundaries for each of a plurality of contractterms. Those skilled in the art will understand that the contractcustomization rules database 900 may include any number of entries. Thecontract customization rules database 900 also defines fields for eachof the entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a contract ruleidentifier that (e.g., uniquely) identifies a rule for customizing orbuilding a contract; (ii) contract term boundaries 904 that specifies atleast one boundary for a value of at least one contract term; (iii) aresult 906 that indicates whether a contract should be approved orprovided if the contract term(s) is as specified in the contract termboundaries. In one embodiment, casino personnel may enable a particularrule at certain desired time and may disable the rule at another time.In one embodiment, a rule may be enabled and/or disabled based on aschedule or other basis programmed into a device. For example, acomputer 110 may be programmed to enable a rule if certain condition(s)are satisfied.

To illustrate a usage of contract customization rules database 900,assume a player has indicated a desire to build or customize a contractand has provided a desired value for a term of the desired contract.More specifically, assume the player has requested a contract thatdefines a period of 48 hours (e.g., the contract will cover play of agaming device for a period of forty-eight (48) hours). It may bedetermined, based on rule “R-003” (of record R900-3) of contractcustomization rules database 900 that the contract should not beapproved or provided, since the defined contract period is greater than24 hours.

G. Available Contracts Database

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein is a tabularrepresentation 1000 of an available contracts database 255. Tabularrepresentation 1000 is referred to herein as available contractsdatabase 1000. The available contracts database 1000 may be utilized bya device (e.g., a computer 110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device 130 and/ora contract server) to store and/or access information about contractsthat are available for purchase. For example, a kiosk 140 or a gamingdevice 130 may access the available contracts database 1000 to determinewhat information to output to a player via a menu of availablecontracts. As described herein, in one or more embodiments, one or morecontracts may be pre-defined (e.g., by a casino, game designer, gamingdevice manufacturer, or another entity) and offered for sale to players.A pre-defined contract may comprise a contract that has respectivevalues specified for each of a plurality of terms that define thecontract.

Examples of terms of a contract include (i) a period of time defined bythe contract, (ii) a price for the contract, (iii) a refund rate orother benefit provided under the contract, (iv) one or more conditions aplayer must comply with (e.g., a rate of play, a minimum wager amountper game play, etc.) in order to earn or qualify for the benefit definedby the contract, and (v) gaming devices and/or games eligible for playunder the contract. In such an embodiment, information about thepre-defined contracts may be stored in a database such as availablecontracts database 1000, for output to a player who has indicated adesire to purchase an available contract. The data in the availablecontracts database 1000 may be input by, for example, a casino employee,employee of a game designer and/or gaming device manufacturer and/or bya device (e.g., a gaming device 130, a computer 110, a contract kiosk140, and/or a contract server). For example, casino personnel may setinitial values for respective terms of a contract and a device (e.g.,computer 110) may update the values based on the success of the contractand/or feedback from the players.

The available contracts database 1000 includes a number of examplerecords or entries, including records R1000-1 through R1000-4, eachdefining a respective contract that is available for purchase or thatmay otherwise be entered into by a player. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the available contracts database 1000 may include anynumber of entries. The available contracts database 1000 also definesfields for each of the entries or records. The fields specify: (i) acontract type identifier 1002 that identifies a particular type ofcontract characterized by certain terms, though does not necessarilyidentify a unique contract provided to a particular player (note: aunique contract identifier may be assigned once a player purchases acontract type); (ii) a contract price 1004 that specifies a monetaryamount or other form of consideration to be provided by a player inexchange for entering into the contract; (iii) a contract period 1006that defines a period of time (which may be defined in terms of a numberof game plays, a number of units of time, as ending upon an occurrenceof a specified event, etc.) during which game play that complies withthe remainder of the terms of the contract will be covered under thecontract; (iv) a contract benefit 1008 that defines a benefit a playermay earn or qualify for by complying with the terms of the contract; and(v) compliance requirements 1010 that define restrictions on game playthat a player must comply with in order to earn or qualify for thebenefit of the contract.

Thus, for example record R1000-1 indicates that if a player purchases acontract of contract type “CT-01234” for a price of twenty dollars($20), the player will not need to provide any payment for five hundred(500) game plays of a “Double Gems Jackpots” game (beyond the twentydollar ($20) price of the contract) and the credit meter balance of agaming device on which the player is playing the game will be allowed tobecome a negative number if necessary for the player to complete thefive hundred (500) game plays.

To illustrate a usage of available contracts database 1000, assume aplayer has indicated a desire to purchase a contract. The player may bepresented (e.g., via a touch-screen of a contract kiosk 140) with a menuof available contracts. The menu may be populated based on informationobtained from the available contracts database 1000.

H. Purchased Contracts Database

Referring now to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is a tabularrepresentation 1100 of a purchased contracts database 260. Tabularrepresentation 1100 is referred to herein as purchased contractsdatabase 1100. The purchased contracts database 1100 may be utilized bya device (e.g., a computer 110, a kiosk 140, a gaming device 130 and/ora contract server) to store and/or access information about contractsthat have been purchased or otherwise entered into by players. Forexample, a kiosk 140 or a gaming device 130 may access the purchasedcontracts database 1100 to determine a period remaining in a contractpreviously purchased by a player. The data in the purchased contractsdatabase 1100 may be input by, for example, a casino employee and/or bya device (e.g., a gaming device 130, a computer 110, a contract kiosk140, and/or a contract server). For example, casino personnel or acontract kiosk 140 may create a record in the purchased contractsdatabase 1100 upon a player purchasing a contract and update the recordas the player participates in play covered under the terms of thecontract.

The purchased contracts database 1100 includes a number of examplerecords or entries, including records R1100-1 through R1100-4, eachdefining a respective contract that has been purchased or otherwiseentered into by a player. Those skilled in the art will understand thatthe purchased contracts database 1100 may include any number of entries.The purchased contracts database 1100 also defines fields for each ofthe entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a contract identifier1102 that uniquely identifies a contract; (ii) a player identifier 1103that identifies the one or more players associated with the contract(note that in some embodiments the player identifier and the contractidentifier may comprise the same identifier); (iii) a contract period1106 that specifies a period of time defined by the contract (e.g., aperiod of time during which the contract is active, a period of timeduring which play is covered under the terms of a contract, and/or aperiod of time defining an amount of play covered under the terms of thecontract); (iv) a refund rate 1108 that specifies a percentage of lossesor wagers posted by a player that will be refunded to the player, as oneexample of a benefit that may be provided to a player under a contract;(v) a contract fee 1110 that specifies a consideration to be exactedfrom a player in exchange for the benefit defined by the contract (whichmay be a price the player pre-pays for the contract or another form ofconsideration); (vi) a play requirement(s) 1112 that specifies one ormore restrictions on game play that a player must normally comply within order to earn or qualify for the benefit of the contract; (vii) aperiod remaining 1114 that specifies the period of time remaining in thecontract (i.e., the total period of time defined by the contract lessthe period of the contract utilized by the player to date); (viii) atotal wager 1116 that indicates a sum of wagers posted by the playerwhile participating in play covered under the terms of the contract;(ix) a total payout 1118 that specifies a sum of payouts won by theplayer as a result of participating in play covered under the terms ofthe contract; and (x) a total loss 1120 that specifies the sum of lossesincurred by the player as a result of participating in play coveredunder the terms of the contract. It should be noted that the examplecontracts illustrated in purchased contracts database 1100 are directedto a type of contract in which a benefit is a refund of losses incurredby a player as a result of participating in play covered under the termsof the contract. As described herein, other contracts may definedifferent benefits. Accordingly, in some embodiments different fieldsmay be appropriate to track information relevant to such differentbenefits.

Thus, for example record R1100-1 indicates that a player identified as“P-000927” has purchased a contract identified as “C-000001”, and thatthis contract has an associated period of time of six (6) hours, arefund rate of one hundred percent (100%) and a contract fee in whichone cent (1¢) will be charged to the player for each twenty-five cents(25¢) wagered by the player while participating in play covered underthe terms of the contract. The contract further specifies that a playermust participate in four hundred (400) game plays per hour in order toqualify for the one hundred ($100) refund rate and that the player has aremaining two (2) hours and thirty-four (34) minutes remaining under thecontract. The record of the contract further specifies that the playerhas wagered a sum of three hundred and ninety-five dollars and fiftycents ($395.50) under the contract and received a sum of payouts equalto one hundred and eighty-one dollars and seventy-five cents ($181.75),which results in a loss to date of two hundred and thirteen dollars andseventy-five cents ($213.75).

To illustrate a usage of the purchased contracts database 1100, assume aplayer provided contract identifier “C-000001” to a gaming device andindicated a desire that play of the gaming device be covered under theterms of the contract (e.g., the player has indicated a desire to engagein contract play). It may be determined, based on the contractidentifier, whether the contract has a period of time remaining prior toaffirming to the player that the play of the gaming device will becovered under the terms of the contract. Further, the required rate ofplay that is a play requirement defined by the contract may bedetermined, and the player's play of the gaming device may be monitoredto determine whether the player is complying with the required rate ofplay. It should be noted that the required rate of play may be a minimumrate of play, a maximum rate of play and/or a specific rate of play withwhich the player must comply.

VI. Contract Indicia

A. Contract Cards

Referring now to FIG. 12, illustrated therein are two example contractcards that may be provided to a player who enters into a contract inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As describedherein, in some embodiments, a contract card may have a substantiallysimilar physical appearance and functionality as to that of a playertracking card, although a contract card may be associated with a uniquecontract identifier instead of or in addition to a player identifier(e.g., such that data may be read from and/or written to a contractdatabase regarding the contract and/or game play data associatedtherewith). As illustrated in FIG. 12, a contract card may comprise amagnetic stripe, which when read by a card reader device, may indicate agaming contract identifier and/or a player identifier. A variety ofmethods of encoding contract cards with contract identifiers and otherdata are imagined. For example, in one embodiment, a contract cardcomprises a “smart card” or other device comprising a memory, such thatgaming contract data may be stored on the smart card (e.g., a gamingdevice and/or controller transmits data to the smart card device viaradio frequency transmission). In another embodiment, a contract cardmay comprise a cashless gaming ticket (e.g., the barcode thereof may beread so as to determine a contract identifier).

In other embodiments, a player may not be provided with a contract card,but a controller may determine that one or more game plays should bemonitored pursuant to contract play in some other manner. For example,in one embodiment, a player may be provided with a code. The player maythen enter the code using an input device of a gaming device (e.g., aplayer enters a gaming contract identifier using a touch-sensitivedisplay screen). In another embodiment, a player may be instructed toactuate one or more input devices of a gaming device in a specificsequence and/or for a particular period of time (e.g., “To initiateContract Play, press and hold both the “Spin” button and the “Paytable”button for five seconds). In one or more embodiments, a playeridentifier may be received so as to signal contract play. Variousmethods of receiving player identifiers are contemplated. In oneembodiment, a player may use a player tracking card in lieu of acontract card (e.g., such game play data may be monitored and thenstored in a player database, as opposed to a contract database). Inanother embodiment, a player may be identified by biometric means (e.g.,via a retina recognition device).

Turning now to the first example contract card 1200A, a front view 1205Aand a back view 1210A of the contract card are illustrated. The front ofthe contract card 1200A includes a description of the benefit defined bythe contract card (1215A), the name of the player associated with thecontract card (1220A), the contract identifier uniquely identifying thecontract of the contract card (1225A), the player identifier of theplayer associated with the contract card (1230A) and an indication ofthe period of time defined by the contract (1235A). The back of thecontract card 1200A includes a magnetic stripe 1245A, as well as an areafor the signature of the player associated with the contract card(1235A), and a description of the terms and conditions associated withthe contract (1240A). The terms and conditions may describe, forexample, any restrictions by which the player must abide in order toearn or otherwise qualify for the benefit defined by the contract. Inanother embodiment, the terms and conditions may pertain to the properuse of the contract card, irrespective of the terms of the contractassociated with the card (e.g., the contract card may only properly beused by the player who rightfully purchased or otherwise entered intothe contract associated with the card, etc.).

It should be noted that a player associated with a contract card maycomprise a player who purchased or otherwise entered into the contractcorresponding to the contract card.

Turning now to the second example card 1200B, the front view 1205Bincludes features substantially similar to those of example contractcard 1200A: (i) a description of the benefit defined by the contractassociated with the contract card (1215B), (ii) a name of the playerassociated with the contract card (1225B), (iii) a player identifieridentifying the player associated with the contract card (1230B), and(iv) a contract identifier that uniquely identifies the contractassociated with the contract card (1235B). In addition, the front 1205Bof the contract card 1200B includes a photograph of the playerassociated with the contract card (1220B), which may be useful forsecurity purposes (e.g., to ensure that the bearer of the contract cardis the player who purchased or otherwise entered into the contractassociated with the contract card).

The back 1210B of the example contract card 1200B includes featuressubstantially similar to those of the back 1210A of example contractcard 1200A: (i) a magnetic stripe 1250B, (ii) an area for a signature ofa player associated with the contract card (1240B), and (iii) adescription of the terms and conditions associated with the contractcard (1245B).

B. Contract Receipt

Referring now to FIG. 13, illustrated therein is an example of acontract receipt that may be provided to a player upon an end of acontract, which receipt the player may use to obtain the benefit definedby the contract. A contract may be considered to end, for example,

(i) upon the occurrence of a period of time defined by the contract(e.g., a player plays the one hundredth (100th) game play of the onehundred (100) game plays defined by a contract, a player completes thesecond (2nd) hour of play of the two (2) hours defined by a contract);

(ii) upon a player completing all play requirements defined by acontract in a satisfactory manner (e.g., a player completes five hundred(500) game plays at a designated gaming device while maintaining aminimum required rate of play of three hundred (300) game plays perhour);

(iii) upon a player earning or otherwise qualifying for a benefitdefined by a contract (e.g., a player has incurred at least one hundreddollars ($100) in losses within one (1) hour); and/or

(iv) upon an occurrence of another designated event (e.g., the currenttime is 8:00 pm on Jul. 1, 2005, which is the expiration time of acontract; the player collects one hundred (100) “lemon” symbols throughplay of a slot machine game, and thus the contract ends; and so on).

It should be noted that a contract that has ended may not necessarilyhave been satisfactorily completed such that a player is necessarilyentitled to a benefit defined by the contract. For example, upondetermining that a contract has ended, casino personnel and/or a device(e.g., computer 110, contract kiosk 140, etc.) may perform a distinctdetermination of whether the player has complied with the terms of thecontract and is thus entitled to a benefit defined by the contract.

Of course, as described herein, in some embodiments a benefit may beprovided to a player under the terms of the contract during the durationof the contract and before an end of the contract. For example, theplayer may be provided with access to a feature of a gaming deviceand/or allowed to continue playing the gaming device (and receivingpayouts for winning outcomes) even if the credit meter balance of thegaming device is depleted, while executing game plays covered under thecontract and before an end of the contract.

Returning again to FIG. 13, in one embodiment a gaming device 130,contract kiosk 140, casino personnel device and/or another device may beoperable to print a contract receipt for a player once a contract iscomplete. The receipt may entitle the player to a benefit defined by thecontract (e.g., a monetary amount based on a refund of at least aportion of losses incurred by the player as a result of participating ingame plays under the contract). For example, the player may present thereceipt to casino personnel at a casino cage or to a contract kiosk 130in order to receive the benefit. In one embodiment, the receipt mayinclude machine readable indicia (e.g., a bar code) that instructs adevice (e.g., a contract kiosk 130) to provide the specified benefit tothe player.

In one example, a player may have purchased a contract with anassociated refund rate of one hundred percent (100%) and contract fee ofone cent (1¢) per twenty-five cents (25¢) wagered. After a contractperiod concludes, the player may have accumulated one hundred andthirty-five dollars and eighty-seven cents ($135.87) in losses andthirteen dollars and seventeen cents ($13.17) in contract fees. Thisinformation may be, for example, monitored and tracked by computer 110as the player plays one or more gaming devices 130. Accordingly, as theplayer is owed a refund, the player may approach a casino representativestationed at a location within the casino. The player may provide hiscontract card to the representative, such that she may access contractdata (e.g., the representative enters a contract identifier using akeypad of a computer device in communication with one or more databasesof the present invention). It may then be determined (e.g., based on theinformation monitored, tracked and stored by computer 110) that theplayer is owed one hundred and twenty-two dollars and seventy cents($122.70) (e.g., the refund amount of one hundred and thirty-fivedollars and eighty-seven cents ($135.87), minus the thirteen dollars andseventeen cents ($13.17) in contract fees). The representative may thenpay the player with cash in the appropriate amount. In one embodiment,the player may be provided with a physical “contract receipt” (e.g., inaddition to or in lieu of being provided with the cash). If the receiptis provided in lieu of cash, the receipt may be exchangeable for theappropriate amount of cash at an appropriate casino counter, at acontract kiosk 140 or via another means. The contract receipt maycomprise, for example, a sheet of printed paper, an exemplaryillustration of which is depicted by FIG. 13.

A contract receipt, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 13, mayinclude, for example,

(i) an indication of the casino or other entity that entered into thecontract with the player (1305);

(ii) a contract identifier and/or player identifier (1310);

(iii) a win and/or loss amount associated with the contract (1315) thatmay be calculated, for example, by subtracting the amount of coinswagered by the player (1320) from the amount of coins paid to the player(1325);

(iv) an indication of a refund rate (1330) or other benefit defined bythe contract;

(v) an indication of a gross value of the benefit earned by the playeras a result of the contract, such as the gross amount to be refunded tothe player (1335);

(vi) an indication of contract fees or other fees (e.g., taxes) to besubtracted from the gross value of the benefit earned by the player as aresult of the contract (1340);

(vii) an indication of the net value of the benefit earned by the playeras a result of the contract, such as the net amount to be refunded tothe player (1345), which net value may be calculated by deducting anyapplicable fees from the gross value of the benefit;

(viii) a summary of the play that was covered under the contract (1350),which may be a summary of all game plays that contributed to thedetermination of the gross value of the benefit earned by the player asa result of the contract; and

(ix) an area for the signature of the player associated with thecontract (1355).

It should be noted that in some embodiments a player may be provided amonetary amount that is a benefit earned by the player as a result of acontract by having the amount credited to an account associated with theplayer (e.g., a credit card account, a debit card account, acasino-maintained account, etc.). In such embodiments, a contractreceipt may include an indication of the account to which the monetaryamount was added.

In some embodiments, a contract receipt may not comprise a physicalcontract receipt. For example, in one embodiment, text and/or graphicsrepresentative of a contract receipt may alternately or additionally beoutput by a display screen of a kiosk.

In one embodiment, a contract receipt may be provided to a player beforecompletion of a contract. For example, if a player terminates play of agaming device before completion of a contract, the gaming device oranother device may print a receipt for the player that is readable byanother device and that allows the other device to read or deriveinformation about the player's contract (e.g., how many game playsand/or time the player is entitled to under the contract, etc.).

VII. Processes

FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 are flow charts of respective exemplaryprocesses 1400, 1500 and 1600 that may be practiced via, for example,system 100 (FIG. 1). Any and all of the processes of FIG. 14, FIG. 15,and/or FIG. 16 (or any portion of any such process) may be embodiedwithin computer program code of one or more programs described hereinand may comprise a computer program product.

The processes described herein, and variations thereof that will beapparent from the disclosure herein, may be performed, for example, as aresult of operation of the processor 205 of the computer 200, processor305 of gaming device 300, a processor of a contract kiosk 140, aprocessor of a contract server, a processor of another device and/or acombination of any of the aforementioned processes (e.g. working inseries, parallel, cooperatively, or otherwise in combination).

Except where impractical, it is contemplated that in one embodiment theprocesses and/or methods described herein and/or illustrated in FIG. 14,FIG. 15, and/or FIG. 16 may be performed by a computer 110 interactivewith one or more gaming devices 130 and/or one or more kiosks 140. It isalso contemplated that the method or methods of the present inventionmay be performed on a stand-alone gaming device.

Referring now to FIG. 14, process 1400 begins with step 1405, in which acontract is established with a player. Establishing a contract maycomprise, for example, entering into a commitment with a player, inwhich commitment it is promised that a benefit defined by the contractwill be provided to the player if the player complies with the terms ofthe contract. It should be understood that establishing a contract witha player includes determining that a player has purchased or otherwiseentered into a contract (e.g., via a contract kiosk 140, via a gamingdevice 130, via a casino employee, etc.).

It should further be noted that process 1400, as any process describedherein, need not necessarily be performed all at one time (i.e., a stepof the process need not begin immediately after a preceding step hasbeen completed). In some embodiments, a significant amount of time(e.g., minutes, hours, days, week, etc.) may pass between steps. Forexample, in one embodiment step 1405 (determining that a contract hasbeen established) may be performed at a first time and step 1410(determining contract initiation signal from gaming device) may beperformed several hours or days later).

A contract may be established in a variety of manners and via a varietyof entities. As described, various process steps of embodimentsdescribed herein (including embodiments in which a contract isestablished with a player) may be performed by one or more of a varietyof entities, including a computer 110, a gaming device 130, a contractkiosk 140, casino personnel, etc.

In some embodiments, a player may indicate a desire to enter into orestablish a contract. For example, a player may approach a casinorepresentative in the interest of establishing a contract. In a morespecific example, in one embodiment a booth or other location withincasino premises may be dedicated to selling, establishing, and/oradministering contracts, and may be staffed with personnel and casinopersonnel devices accordingly (e.g., a desk behind which staff operatecomputer terminals, such that requests to purchase contracts may bereceived). In another embodiment, a player may approach a “mobile”casino representative to establish a contract (e.g., a casino “floorrepresentative” may be given a PDA or other handheld computing device,which may communicate with any of the devices/computers described hereinsuch that a request to provide a contract may be received). In otherembodiments, a player may approach a “contract kiosk” and indicate aninterest in establishing a contract (e.g., by actuating an input deviceof the kiosk, such as a graphic of a touch-sensitive display screen thatreads “Press here to get your losses covered!”). In another embodiment,a player may establish a contract upon checking in to a hotel associatedwith a casino. In further embodiments, a player may request to establisha contract by dialing a particular phone number and accessing an IVRU(e.g., a tent-card advertisement placed on top of a slot machine reads,“Dial 1-888-CONTRACT” and get 50% of your gambling lossescovered—FREE!”, such that the player dials the phone number, listens toa menu of options, and selects an option to purchase a contract bypressing an appropriate button of a cellular phone keypad). In oneembodiment, a player may indicate a desire to establish a contract byactuating an actuatable input device of a gaming device. In this manner,a request to establish a contract may be received by a system of thepresent invention in a variety of manners.

As described, in one embodiment all or some available contracts may onlybe available to some players. For example, only certain players may beeligible to establish a particular contract or any contract at all(e.g., based on a characteristic associated with the player).Accordingly, in some embodiments the step of establishing a contract maycomprise reviewing player data to determine player eligibility forestablishing a contract. For example, in one embodiment, only playerscharacterized by certain data may establish a contract (e.g., onlyregistered hotel guests). Further, in some embodiments, playersassociated with certain player data may receive only certain contractterms (e.g., “high rollers” may be eligible to receive a higherpercentage refund of gambling losses, longer contract periods, and soon) and/or may only be eligible for certain contracts but not others. Itshould be noted that, in an embodiment in which it is being determinedwhether a player is eligible to enter into a particular contract, theidentifier of the contract and/or the terms of the contract may first bedetermined, prior to determining the player's eligibility to enter intothe contract.

In some embodiments, a player database (e.g., a player database asillustrated in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) may be accessed in accordance with aparticular player identifier or player name (e.g., a casinorepresentative keys-in a player name, swipes a player tracking cardthrough a card-reader device in communication with a casino personneldevice, etc.) so as to determine player eligibility. Data stored withina player database may then be used to determine whether or not aparticular player (i) is a registered hotel guest, (ii) has wagered acertain amount of money over the course of one or more trips to acasino, (iii) has generated a certain amount of “theoretical win” forthe casino (e.g., which may be determined by multiplying a total amountwagered by a “house edge” metric of, e.g., nine percent (9%)), (iv) hasgenerated a certain amount of actual winnings or losses over the courseof one or more trips to the casino, (v) is associated with any activecontracts, (vi) has completed (e.g., successfully) a contracts in thepast, (vii) has registered for a casino “player account” membership(e.g., signed up for a player tracking card) perhaps on or before acertain date, and/or (vii) otherwise is eligible to establish acontract.

As described with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B (player database400), player data may be collected and/or stored in a variety ofmanners. For example, a player may have previously registered for aplayer tracking card. Thus, various game play data (e.g., payout data,win/loss data, wager data, etc.) may have been tracked and stored inassociation with a player identifier as is known in the art. It shouldbe noted that, in some embodiments, a player may not have previouslyregistered for a player tracking card or registered as a casino hotelguest. Accordingly, a player database may contain no data stored withreference to the player (e.g., a casino representative uses a computerof the present invention to search for the player's name, but no recordis revealed). In some embodiments, a player having no record or accountmay not be eligible to establish a contract or may only be eligible toestablish a particular contract(s) and/or contract(s) with particularterms. In one such embodiment, a player may be offered an opportunity toestablish a player record or account. For example, the player may bepresented with an opportunity sign up for a player tracking card (e.g.,open a player account). In another example, a player may receive a“guest pass” in exchange for performing a particular task (e.g., fillingout a survey, eating at a casino-maintained restaurant, etc.); such aguest pass may then permit the player to establish a contract, aparticular contract and/or a contract defining particular terms. Inother embodiments, a player having no record may receive a contractcharacterized by only certain contract terms.

As described, player eligibility to establish a contract may bedetermined based on the player data associated with the player. Forexample, a player eligibility rules database (such as the exemplaryplayer eligibility rules database 500 depicted in FIG. 5) may beaccessed and one or more rules stored therein may be applied todetermine the player's eligibility to enter into a contract, based onthe player data associated with the player in conjunction with the oneor more rules. For example, a rule may indicate that if a player isassociated with an active contract, the player may not establish asecond contract (e.g., as specified by rule “R-002” of the playereligibility database 500 (record R500-2)). In another example, a rulemay indicate that if a player has generated more than ten thousanddollars ($10,000) in theoretical win, the player may establish anycontract (e.g., a contract with any terms that the player desires; asspecified by rule “R-003” of player eligibility rules database 500(record R500-3)). In yet another example, a rule may indicate that if aplayer had not registered for a player tracking card before a particulardate, the player may only be eligible to establish a contract with anassociated refund rate of less than fifty-one percent (51%) (e.g., asspecified by rule “R-004” of the player eligibility rules database 500(record R500-4)).

As also described, in one embodiment establishing a contract may includedetermining an eligibility of one or more gaming devices forfacilitating game plays that are covered under the contract. A gamingdevice being eligible for contract play may comprise, for example, thegaming device being authorized, approved, operable and/or available tofacilitate game plays that, when participated in by a player who hasestablished a contract, aid the player in earning or otherwisequalifying for a benefit defined by the contract (e.g., “count” as gameplays covered under the contract).

A determination of whether a gaming device or type of gaming device iseligible for contract play (or a determination of which gaming devicesor gaming device types are eligible for contract play) may be performedat one or more times, as deemed appropriate and desirable. In oneembodiment, before a contract is established with a player, it may bedetermined whether or not a particular gaming device or type of deviceis permitted for contract play (e.g., this may be particularly useful ina scenario in which a player requests a contract to be executed on aparticular gaming device or type of gaming device). For example, thedetermination may be performed after a player requests to establish acontract but prior to establishing the contract with the player. Inanother embodiment, the determination may be performed before a playerever requests to enter into a contract. The determination of gamingdevice eligibility may be helpful in order to inform a player, prior tothe player establishing a contract, as to which gaming devices and/ortypes of gaming devices the player may play in order to earn orotherwise qualify for a benefit under the contract.

It should be noted that in some embodiments available contracts may bepre-packaged and displayed on a menu of available contracts to a player,as described herein. In such embodiments, the determination of whether aparticular gaming device and/or particular type of gaming device iseligible for facilitating game play under a contract (e.g., whether playof the gaming device will aid a player in earning or otherwisequalifying for a benefit defined by the contract) may be performed at atime the contract is being defined and prior to a time at which a playeris requesting to establish a contract. For example, a casino or otherentity defining a contract to be included on a menu of availablecontracts may define, as one of the terms of the contract, the gamingdevices and/or types of gaming devices the play of which will complywith the terms of the contract. This determination may be made, forexample, based on some of the considerations described below.Accordingly, in such pre-packaged contract embodiments, upon a time of aplayer attempting to establish a contract, there may be no need todetermine gaming device eligibility or the determination of gamingdevice eligibility may simply comprise retrieving the previously madedecision as to which gaming device and/or types of gaming devices areeligible for play under the contract.

In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to restrict certain gamingdevices or gaming device types characterized by certain attributes froma contract. Restricting a gaming device or type of gaming device fromcontract play may comprise rendering the gaming device unauthorized,unapproved, inoperable and/or unavailable to facilitate game plays that,when participated in by a player who has established a contract, aid theplayer in earning or otherwise qualifying for a benefit defined by thecontract (e.g., the game plays do not “count” as game plays coveredunder the contract). A gaming device or gaming device type may berestricted from all contract play in general and/or from contract playunder one or more particular contracts. A gaming device or gaming devicetype that is restricted from contract play may be flagged as such in adatabase, associated with a restricted status in a memory of a device(e.g., a memory of a kiosk 140 or computer 110) and/or may display orotherwise output an indication of its restricted status (e.g., to allplayers or to players who attempt to initiate contract play on thegaming device). In one embodiment, an indication of which gamingdevice(s) and/or gaming device type(s) are restricted from contract playmay be output to a player considering a purchase of a contract. Forexample, such an indication may be output via a display screen of adevice via which the player is purchasing the contract, printed on areceipt provided as a proof of a purchase of a contract, printed on acontract card, or otherwise provided to a player who has purchased orotherwise entered into a contract. In some embodiments, a gaming deviceitself may output an indication of whether the gaming device isrestricted from contract play (e.g., an LED is lit, a sound is emitted,and so on). An indication of which gaming device(s) and/or gaming devicetype(s) are eligible for contract play may be output in similar manners.

It should be noted that whether a particular gaming device or gamingdevice type is restricted or eligible for contract play may changeduring a period defined by a contract. For example, a particular gamingdevice may be restricted from contract play at a time a player entersinto a contract but may become eligible for contract play while thecontract is active and before the contract ends.

Various characteristics or attributes may be considered when determiningwhether a gaming device and/or gaming device type is eligible forcontract play. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may berestricted from contract play (i.e., a player would not earn or qualifyfor a benefit defined by the corresponding contract by playing thegaming device) if a standard deviation metric associated with the gamingdevice is too high. In some embodiments, a standard deviation metricassociated with a gaming device may be determined by the followingcalculation:

Let x be a random variable that can take on experimental values of x1,x2, . . . xn, with corresponding probabilities p1, p2, . . . pn. Forexample, x may represent a model of a game play of a gaming device. Theexperimental values would be payouts, such as negative one (−1), one(1), five (5), one hundred (100), and so on. The probabilities would bethe probabilities of the corresponding payouts occurring. For example,the payout “−1” might occur with probability of nine tenths (0.9). Theexpectation of x is denoted E[x]. The expectation of x, which may alsobe known as the mean, or average, is defined asE[x]=p1*x1+p2*x2+ . . . +pn*xn=Σk=1 . . . npkxk

The variance of x is denoted σx2. The variance is defined asσx2=p1*(x1−E[x])2+p2*(x2−E[x])2+ . . . pn*(xn−E[x])2=Σk=1 . . . npk*(xk−E[x])2

Thus, the standard deviation metric associated with the gaming device,σx, is the square root of the variance.

In other embodiments, a gaming device may be restricted from contractplay if it is characterized by a relatively high payback percentage. Insome embodiments, a gaming device payback percentage may be determinedbased on a house edge metric. For example, a gaming device thatstatistically retains nine cents (9¢) of every dollar wagered for thehouse (i.e., a house edge metric of nine one hundredths (0.09)) may bethought of as a “91% payback” device.

In further embodiments, a variety of other characteristics or attributesmay be considered when determining gaming device eligibility forcontract play. Such attributes include, but are not limited to: (i) thegaming device's manufacturer (e.g., the name of the company thatmanufactured and distributed the device), (ii) the gaming device'slocation on the casino floor (e.g., a device is in a particular room orpart of a particular bank of devices), (iii) the gaming device's wagerdenomination (e.g., a five cent per line (5¢-per-line) slot machine maybe allowed, but a twenty-five cent per line (25¢-per-line) slot machinemay not), (iv) the number of paylines which may be activated during onegame play, (v) the number of hands of poker which may be played duringone game play, (vi) a “game type” associated with the gaming device(e.g., a “slot machine” may be allowed but a “video poker” machine maynot, a “Double Gems Jackpots” game may not be eligible), (vii) theconditions under which the casino purchased or leased the gaming device(e.g., a “participation” gaming device for which casinos must payanother entity a percentage of the gaming device's win may not beeligible), (viii) the jackpot amount associated with the gaming device(e.g., the top payout amount associated with the gaming device; itshould be noted that a “progressive” jackpot may have a variable value,which may be accumulated by setting aside a small fraction of each wageramount into a jackpot pool, as is known in the art), (ix) the time ofday (e.g., certain gaming devices may only be eligible for contract playduring certain “off-peak” times), (x) the average or maximum speed atwhich the gaming device is operable to conduct a game play, and so on.

In one embodiment, a gaming device database (such as that illustrated inFIG. 6) may store data which may be useful in determining an eligibilityof a gaming device for contract play. For example, in one embodiment, acasino server (e.g., computer 110) may maintain a gaming device databasewhich may store data associated with gaming devices and/or gaming devicetypes currently positioned on casino premises. Thus, a gaming deviceeligibility rules database (such as that illustrated in FIG. 7) may beused in conjunction with a gaming device database to determine whetheror not a gaming device type and/or gaming device is eligible forcontract play.

For example, in one embodiment, any gaming device characterized by a“progressive” jackpot as indicated by a gaming device type database maynot be eligible for contract play (i.e., rule “R-001” of gaming deviceeligibility rules database 700). In another embodiment, if a gamingdevice database indicates that a standard deviation metric associatedwith a gaming device is greater than a predetermined threshold amount(e.g., “6”) the gaming device may not be eligible for contract play. Inyet another example, a gaming device manufactured by a certain companymay not be eligible for contract play (e.g., rule “R-00N” of gamingdevice eligibility database 700). As described, in some embodimentsrules may be enabled or disabled as a casino operator or other entityfinds desirable and/or appropriate (e.g., a gaming device eligibilityrules database is updated to reflect which rules the casino desires toenable).

In one embodiment, a determination of whether to establish a contractwith a player and/or a determination of eligibility of a gaming deviceand/or gaming device type for contract play may be based on a level ofutilization of the gaming device and/or type of gaming device. Thus, insome embodiments, step 1405 may comprise determining a level utilizationof a gaming device and/or type of gaming device. For example, in oneembodiment, a gaming contract may only be provided if it is determinedthat there is sufficient capacity for contract play (e.g., enough slotmachines located on the floor of a casino are not currently beingutilized, such that adding another player to the floor for the durationof a particular contract period will not result in a shortfall of gamingdevice capacity that is deemed unacceptable by a casino). In oneembodiment, gaming device utilization data may be stored in a database,such as the example gaming device status database 800 depicted in FIG.8. For example, a gaming device database may indicate a statusassociated with a gaming device (e.g., identified by a unique gamingdevice identifier, such as “GD-000001”), which may describe whether theparticular device is currently “in use” or “not in use.”

A variety of methods of monitoring gaming devices to detect suchutilization are contemplated (e.g., detecting game play activity,detecting the insertion of a player tracking card or contract card,detecting the presence of a player using a sensor device, monitoringgaming devices with video cameras, etc.). In some embodiments, a device(e.g., computer 110) may track gaming device utilization in asubstantially automatic manner (e.g., computer 110 determines use of agaming device and updates a status of the gaming device in the gamingdevice status database, as necessary or appropriate). In one embodiment,a percentage utilization metric may then be calculated with respect toall gaming devices within a casino (e.g., thirty-seven percent (37%) ofall gaming devices are in use) or a percentage of gaming devices beingassociated with a particular characteristic (e.g., fifty-nine percent(59%) of all video poker machines are in use, etc.).

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a gaming contract may or may not beestablished depending on a determined percentage utilization metric(e.g., if a percentage utilization metric is above a certain threshold,no gaming contracts are to be provided). In another embodiment, a gamingcontract may be established but a beginning time of the contract (e.g.,a time at which a player may begin playing one or more gaming devices inorder to earn or otherwise qualify for a benefit under the contract) maybe deferred until a level of utilization is deemed to be acceptable.

In one embodiment, historic gaming device utilization data may beconsidered when determining whether or not a gaming contract is to beestablished and/or whether a beginning time of a contract is to bedeferred. For example, it may be determined that, on average, gamingdevice utilization from 12 PM until 6 PM on Wednesdays has beentwenty-three percent (23%) at Casino A.

In one embodiment, step 1405 may comprise determining one or more termsof a contract. Determining a term of a contract may comprise, forexample, determining the nature of the term and determining a value forthe term. For example, a nature of a term may be determining a perioddefined by a contract while determining the value for the term maycomprise determining the actual value of the period (e.g., three hours,one hundred (100) game plays, until a payout of at least one thousand(1000) credits is won, until a loss of at least one hundred dollars($100) is incurred etc.). In one embodiment (e.g., an embodiment inwhich a player selects a contract to enter into from a menu of availablepre-packaged contract), the terms (and values thereof) of the contractmay already be defined and step 1405 may simply comprise determining thepreviously defined terms. In one embodiment, a player may be allowed tocustomize a contract by changing a value of one or more terms orselecting all terms and values for the contract.

In one embodiment, once (i) a request to establish a gaming contract hasbeen received from a player, (ii) the player's eligibility has beendetermined, (iii) eligible/ineligible gaming device types have beenidentified, and/or (iv) gaming device utilization has been determined,one or more terms of the contract may be determined before the contractis established with a player. A variety of example contract terms willnow be described in further detail.

One example term of a contract is the benefit to be provided to theplayer if the player complies with other terms of the contract. The termdefining the benefit may further define how a value of the benefit is tobe determined (e.g., a formula based on which the value of the benefitis to be determined).

A benefit may comprise, for example, a refund amount. As described, inone or more embodiments a benefit defined by a contract may comprise arefund of at least a portion of the losses incurred by a player, orwagers posted by a player, for game plays covered under the contract. Insome embodiments, a refund amount may be based on amount of lossesincurred by a player or a sum of wagers posted by the player. In suchembodiments, a refund rate may be defined by the contract, the refundrate comprising a percentage (e.g., one hundred percent (100%),seventy-five percent (75%), fifty percent (50%), etc.) of the lossesincurred by the player or sum of wagers posted by the player that is tobe paid to the player. Accordingly, a refund rate associated with agaming contract may comprise a formula based on which a refund amountmay be determined.

In one embodiment, a refund rate may be greater than one hundred percent(100%) (e.g., “We'll refund all your losses plus pay you 5%!”). In yetanother embodiment, a contract may entitle a player to receive a paymentbased on a win amount (e.g., “Get double your winnings!”).

In another embodiment, a refund amount may be a predetermined amountthat is not based on losses incurred by the player or wagers posted bythe player (e.g., if a player agrees to play twelve (12) hours of slots,the player receives a fifty dollar ($50) bonus payment at the conclusionof the contract). In one embodiment, a refund amount may be provided toa player at the end of a gaming contract.

In one embodiment, as described herein, a contract may define a benefitother than a refund amount. For example, a benefit may comprise accessto a feature of the gaming device, a reduced maximum wager amount, amore favorable payout table and/or probability table, an ability tocontinue playing a gaming device once a credit meter balance isdepleted, goods, services, and/or an increased rate of earning comppoints, etc. As described, in one embodiment a benefit may be providedto a player during a period of time defined by a contract (e.g., so longas the player is complying with other terms, such as play requirements(described below) of the contract.

In one embodiment, a benefit may be provided only once under the termsof the contract (e.g., at the end of the contract). In anotherembodiment, a benefit may be provided to a player (i) a plurality oftimes (e.g., periodically, in response to a predetermined event, etc.)and/or (ii) continuously or substantially continuously (e.g., so long asthe player is complying with the play requirements defined by thecontract, the player enjoys an increased rate of earning comp points).

Another example of a term of a contract may be a contract fee. Acontract fee may comprise, for example, a purchase price of a contractand/or consideration to be provided by the player in exchange for beingentitled to earn or otherwise qualify for the benefit defined by thecontract. A contract fee may be required to be provided at the time theplayer enters into the contract, to be provided (e.g., in increments orbased on another basis) during a period of time defined by the contract,at the end of a contract, or another time, as appropriate and/ordesirable. As described herein, in various embodiments, a gamingcontract may be provided only if a player (i) pays or agrees to pay apremium, fee or surcharge, which may be associated with one or more gameplays and/or wager amounts, and/or (ii) agrees to a predeterminedcontract period.

Accordingly, in one example, a contract fee may comprise a flat feeassociated with the contract (e.g., a player agrees to pay thirtydollars ($30) in exchange for the activation of a contract). In anotherexample, a player may agree to pay an incremental fee, which may bebased on (i) one or more game plays initiated during contract play(e.g., a player agrees to pay a fee of five cents (5¢) for each hand ofvideo poker played during the contract period), and/or (ii) one or morewager amounts provided during contract play (e.g., a player agrees topay one cent (1¢) for every twenty-five cents (25¢) wagered during thecontract period). Again, a contract fee may be paid (i) before a gamingcontract is provided (e.g., a player pre-pays a flat thirty dollar ($30)contract fee); (ii) during a contract period (e.g., a player establishesa debit account with a casino, such that the debit account is deductedby an incremental fee amount in accordance with each game play); (iii)after a contract period concludes (e.g., a player provides a credit cardbefore a gaming contract is activated, but the card is not charged untilcontract play concludes and the contract is reconciled); and/or (iv) atanother time.

As stated, in some embodiments, a player may agree to a predeterminedcontract period in lieu of, or in addition to, a monetary fee. A playermay thus provide consideration other than money in exchange for beingentitled to earn or otherwise qualify for a benefit defined by thecontract. For example, a player may agree to twelve (12) hours of slotmachine play in exchange for a contract offering a on hundred percent(100%) refund of all losses at a premium of one cent (1¢) per everytwenty-five cents (25¢) wagered. In another example, a player may agreeto six (6) hours of slot play in exchange for a contract offering afifty percent (50%) refund of all losses with no associated contractfee. It should be noted that a casino may agree to such an arrangement,whereby a player agrees to an amount or period of game play in additionor as an alternative to providing a contract fee, because a house edgemetric associated with play of one or more gaming devices may provide acasino with a statistically predictable amount of profit should playersplay such devices for prolonged periods of time (e.g., even though acontract fee was not received, revenue may still be generated throughplayers' repeated play of such devices).

In one embodiment, a contract fee for a particular contract may comprisea first fee for a first player and a second fee for a second player. Forexample, the first player may receive a reduced fee due to a favorablecharacteristic associated with the player (e.g., the player is a memberof a loyalty club of the casino, the player is a frequent gambler, anaverage maximum wager amount associated with the player is at least apredetermined amount, the player is a hotel guest, etc.).

Another example of a term of a contract may comprise a period of timedefined by a contract. The period of time may comprise, for example, aperiod of time during which the contract is active, a period of timeduring which game plays participated in by the player count towards theplayer earning or otherwise qualifying for a benefit defined by thecontract, etc.

A period of time may comprise, for example, (i) a minimum period oftime, (ii) a maximum period of time, (iii) a specific period of time, or(iv) a range of time. In one or more embodiments, a term of a contractmay define when the period of time defined by the contract begins (e.g.,upon purchase of the contract, at 2:00 PM, upon a player initiating agame play covered under the terms of the contract, etc.) and when itends.

In some embodiments, a period of time defined by a contract may bedefined in terms of one or more of (i) a predetermined, minimum, and/ormaximum number of game plays, or (ii) an indeterminate number of gameplays to be initiated within a predetermined, minimum or maximum periodof time (e.g., one hour). Thus, in one example, a period of time definedby a contract may comprise five thousand (5,000) handle pulls of a slotmachine (e.g., a player agrees to receive a fifty percent (50%) refundon all losses incurred at any eligible slot machine, so long as theplayer initiates five thousand (5,000) game plays in total). In anotherexample, a period of time defined by a contract may comprise six hours(e.g., a player agrees to receive a seventy-five percent (75%) refund onall losses incurred during six hours of gaming device play). In afurther example, a period of time defined by a contract may comprise aspecific period of hours during one or more days (e.g., contract playcomprises any game plays initiated between 8 AM and 1 PM on a particularday).

Another example of a term of a contract may comprise one or more playrestrictions or play requirements. A play requirement and/or a playrestriction may comprise a condition associated with play of one or moregaming devices that a player may be required to satisfy in order to earnor otherwise qualify for a benefit defined by a contract. A variety ofplay requirements and play restrictions are contemplated. In someembodiments, a play requirement of a contract may specify that a playermust maintain a predefined rate of play while participating in gameplays covered under the contract. For example, a player may receive afifty-percent (50%) refund on any losses incurred during a six-hourcontract period, so long as the player agrees to maintain a minimum rateof three game plays per minute. Methods and apparatus for determining agaming device player's rate of play and providing a benefit based atleast thereon are described in Applicant's issued U.S. Pat. No.6,238,288, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING A GAME INACCORDANCE WITH SPEED OF PLAY,” filed Dec. 31, 1997, the rate of playand rate of play determination concepts and descriptions of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

In other embodiments, a play requirement may define a wager amount to beposted for a game play (e.g., in order for the game play to be coveredunder the contract and/or in order for the game play to “count” towardsthe player satisfying the contract). For example, a play requirement mayspecify (i) a particular wager amount that a player must post for a gameplay, (ii) a minimum wager amount that a player must post for a gameplay, and/or (iii) a maximum wager amount (e.g., an average wager amountcalculated based on all game plays covered under the contract) that aplayer must post for a game play. For example, a play requirement mayrequire a player to wager at least twenty-five cents (25¢) per game playof a slot machine. In another example, a play requirement may require aplayer to wager a maximum of seventy-five cents (75¢) per game play of aslot machine.

In further embodiments, a play requirement may specify a particularmanner of game play. For example, a play requirement may specify one ormore of (i) a number of slot machine paylines which a player mustactivate in accordance with each game play; (ii) a strategy which aplayer must employ for a game play; and/or (iii) a feature of a gamingdevice which a player must active during a game play. For example, aplay restriction may indicate that a player must activate a maximum ofthree slot machine paylines in accordance with each game play initiatedduring contract play.

It should be understood that a play requirement may apply to all or asubset of game plays covered under a contract.

Accordingly, step 1405 (or another step of another process performed inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention) may comprisedetermining one or more contract terms. In some embodiments (whether acontract is being pre-defined prior to any player requesting thecontract or whether the contract is being defined for a particularplayer in response to the player's request for a contract (e.g., basedon specifications input by the player)), one or more contract terms maybe determined such that the establishment of the resultant contractdefined by the terms may be profitable for a casino. As described, inone or more embodiments a casino may pre-define and make available oneor more “pre-packaged” contracts that may then be marketed as productsto prospective customers (e.g., signs positioned on a casino flooradvertise: “100% CASH REFUND—Get all your losses back—Play 12 Hours ofSlots During Your Trip—Just 1¢ per Spin!”).

In one example, a casino (e.g., a casino-maintained computer systemprogrammed to execute various processes of the present invention) maycalculate that at a contract fee of one cent (1¢) per every twenty-fivecents (25¢) wagered, a casino may stand to generate a profit even afterreimbursing a player for one hundred percent (100%) of the player'slosses, so long as the player plays at a reasonable rate of play (e.g.,five hundred (500) game plays per hour) for a period of twelve (12)hours. Assuming the player wagers an average of seventy-five cents (75¢)per game play and a house edge metric of eight one hundredths (0.08)(e.g., gaming devices are programmed to statistically hold eight percent(8%) of coin-in for the house), it may be determined that,statistically, the player will generate one hundred and eighty dollars($180) in contract fees and accumulate three hundred and sixty dollars($360) in losses during the contract period. Accordingly, as the playerwill be refunded the three hundred and sixty dollars ($360) loss amount,the casino may generate one hundred and eighty dollars ($180) in profitfrom the gaming contract. It should be noted that though gaming devicesmay be programmed to statistically maintain a house edge, therebygenerating an eight percent (8%) loss on average for players, someplayers may achieve a win amount as the result of contract play (such awin amount may have decrease casino profits). While there may be someplayers who will generate a win amount during a period of time definedby a contract, by requiring the period of time to be relatively longand/or to encompass a relatively large number of game plays, a casinomay reduce the number of such winners.

It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, while such an amountof profit may be comparably less than would have been generated had theplayer played for twelve (12) hours without a contract (e.g., whereinthe player's losses would have been held by the casino), the contractmay be advantageous in that it may (i) motivate a player to play only atthe gaming establishment wherein the player's losses are “covered,”thereby decreasing the likelihood that the player will gamble at acompetitor's property, (ii) motivate a player to gamble for longerperiods of time, (iii) increase the likelihood that a gamingestablishment will derive additional revenue from the player's patronageof non-gaming casino activities (e.g., eating at restaurants, attendingshows), as the player is motivated to gamble only within theestablishment that provided the contract, (iv) increase the likelihoodthat a player afraid of losing a large sum of money will gamble within agaming establishment, as the cost of playing gaming devices may beconsidered fixed (e.g., a player may play five (5) hours of slotmachines, with a chance to win a large jackpot, for only a flat cost offifty dollars ($50)), and so on.

In another example of a contract that a casino or other entity maypre-define and market as a product to players, a gaming establishmentmay advertise that a player may receive a fifty percent (50%) refund onall losses incurred within a given time period (e.g., any game playbetween 6 AM and 1 PM) without paying any associated contract fee. Thus,a gaming establishment may benefit by maintaining fifty percent (50%) ofthe financial losses incurred by the player, as well as by ensuring thatthe player's business is captured for a period of several hours.

In yet another example of a contract that a casino or other entity maypre-define and market as a product to players, a contract may allow aplayer to pay an up-front contract fee of fifty dollars ($50) for acontract lasting a period of six hours. The contract may define abenefit comprising a one hundred percent (100%) refund of all lossesincurred as a result of game plays completed during the period of timedefined by the contract.

In yet another example of a contract that a casino or other entity maypre-define and market as a product to players, a contract may allow aplayer to pay an up-front contract fee of twenty dollars ($20) for acontract defining a period of time of one hour. The contract may definea benefit comprising a one hundred percent (100%) refund of all lossesincurred as a result of game plays completed in accordance with theterms of the contract. The contract may further define a playrequirement requiring the player to only use a particular type of gamingdevice (e.g., only Nickel FrenZy™ machines are eligible).

In yet another example of a contract that a casino or other entity maypre-define and market as a product to players, a contract may allow aplayer to provide a credit card when signing up for the contract, inexchange for which the player will be authorized to initiate onethousand (1,000) game plays (e.g., at twenty-five cents (25¢) per gameplay) on any eligible gaming device. The contract may define a benefitcomprising a seventy-five percent (75%) refund of all losses incurred asa result of the one thousand (1,000) game plays. The contract may definea contract fee of sixty dollars ($60), to be charged to the providedcredit card once a contract has ended. In one embodiment, the amount, ifany, to be charged to the credit card at the end of the contract may bedetermined by subtracting the sixty dollars ($60) from a refund amountdue to the player as a result of the losses incurred by the player.

Thus, as some pre-defined contracts may be associated with a variety ofpre-defined contract terms (e.g., “Contract A” has a refund rate of onehundred percent (100%)), certain pre-defined contracts may beunavailable to players characterized by certain player data. Forexample, a player eligibility rule of a player eligibility rulesdatabase may indicate that a player who is not a registered hotel guestmay not receive a contract with an associated refund rate of greaterthan seventy-five percent (75%). Accordingly, in some embodiments, aplayer requesting a contract defining a benefit of a refund rate greaterthan seventy-five percent (75%) may be denied an opportunity toestablish the contract if the player is not a registered hotel guest.Alternately or additionally, in some embodiments, an identified player(e.g., a player inserting a player tracking card or providing a lastname, such that player data may be accessed) requesting generally toestablish a contract (e.g., a player selects “Show me Gaming Contracts”or “I'd Like Loss Insurance” as an option of a menu output by atouch-screen kiosk or IVRU) may not receive the option of selectingcertain contracts. For example, contracts which the player is noteligible to establish (e.g., contracts characterized by certain terms)may not be included in a menu of contracts output to the player.Alternatively, the contracts for which a player is not eligible may be“grayed out” or otherwise indicated as unavailable on a menu of contractoutput to the player.

In some embodiments, a player may request to receive a “custom gamingcontract.” For example, a player may desire to select or adjust one ormore contract terms or values thereof (e.g., contract period, refundrate, etc.). In one such embodiment, various contract terms (and/orcertain values of certain contract terms) may be made available to aplayer based on the player's eligibility (e.g., as determined byanalyzing player data). Thus, in some embodiments, players characterizedby certain data (e.g., players that have established long-standingplayer accounts, generated large amounts of theoretical win, etc.) mayselect certain contract terms or certain values of certain contractterms (e.g., higher refund rates, longer/shorter contract periods, fewerplay requirements, lower contract fees, etc.) as indicated by playereligibility rules. For example, a player may approach a booth dedicatedto administering contracts, and communicate verbally to a casinorepresentative a desire to receive a custom contract. The casinorepresentative may then, for example, use a computer device incommunication with any or all of the databases described herein (e.g., aplayer database, a player eligibility rules database, a gaming deviceeligibility rules database, etc.) to determine which contract terms orwhich certain values of certain contract terms the player may beeligible to select.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, a contract characterizedby certain predetermined combinations of contract terms may not beoffered or made available to any player. For example, no player may beoffered or approved for a contract wherein the associated contract termscomprise the following combination: a refund rate of greater thanseventy-five percent (75%), a contract fee of less than ten dollars($10) and a period of time defined by the contract that is shorter thanone hour or twenty-five (25) game plays. In another example, no playermay be offered or approved for a contract that defines a minimum rate ofplay requirement of fewer than three hundred (300) game plays per hour.In yet another example, no player may be offered or approved for acontract wherein an associated contract term comprises a refund rate ofgreater than one hundred percent (100%). Such rules may be stored, readfrom and/or written to a database, such as the contract customizationrules database 900 (FIG. 9). It should be noted that, in someembodiments, such rules may have the effect of establishing theboundaries of contracts, setting the boundaries for contract terms inorder to exclude from approval contracts that will not result in anacceptable level of profit for a casino. Use of such a database, or asimilar methodology, may help ensure that contracts with a lowlikelihood of generating a minimum acceptable level of profit for acasino and/or other entity may not be provided. As described previously,such rules may be enabled and/or disabled as desired and/or appropriate.In this manner, a player may identify, select and/or define a contractcharacterized by a number of contract terms and values thereof that aredesirable to the player.

In some embodiments (e.g., before a customized contract is establishedor before any contract is established), step 1405 may comprise receivinga confirmation from a player that the player desires a contractcharacterized by indicated contract terms.

A confirmation may be received in a variety of manners. In one example,a player may actuate an input device of a kiosk or other electronicdevice (e.g., gaming device, PDA) so as to signal confirmation (e.g.,the player actuates a “YES” graphic of a touch-sensitive display screen,above which text reads “By pressing YES below, I agree to pay $50 andreceive a contract card. By inserting the contract card before I play aslot machine, I will receive a 100% refund of any losses incurredbetween 11 AM and 5 PM today”). In another example, a player may signalconfirmation verbally (e.g., by speaking to a casino representative,saying “YES” when prompted by an IVRU, etc.). In yet another example, aplayer may signal confirmation by actuating an appropriate button of atelephone, as prompted by an IVRU (e.g., “If you would like to purchasethis contract, press 1”). In yet another example, a player may signalconfirmation by signing or initialing a physical contract agreement form(e.g., a paper form which describes contract terms and includes an areafor receiving a signature).

Additionally, in some embodiments, step 1405 (or another processconsistent with embodiments of the present invention) may comprisereceiving a contract fee or portion thereof, such that establishing acontract may comprise receiving the contract fee or a commitment to thecontract fee. In one embodiment, establishing a contract may comprisedetermining that a contract fee has been received and/or determiningthat a commitment to a contract fee has been received. In one example, aplayer may tender a cash payment (e.g., a player provides cash to acasino representative, a player inserts cash into a bill acceptor of akiosk, etc.). In other embodiments, a player may provide a credit card,which may be billed immediately. In further embodiments, a contract feeassociated with a contract may be added as a charge to a hotel billassociated with a player.

As described, in some embodiments, step 1405 may comprise receiving acommitment from a player to pay a contract fee at a later time and/ordetermining that a player has provided a commitment to pay a contractfee at a later time. For example, in one embodiment, before a contractis activated (e.g., before a player is authorized to participate in playin order to earn or otherwise qualify for a benefit defined by acontract), a player may provide a credit card and sign a contractagreement form describing contract terms, one of which is an incrementalcontract fee of one cent (1¢) for every twenty-five cents (25¢) wagered.Thus, at the end of the contract period, if the player wagered a totalof two hundred and forty-seven dollars and twenty-five cents ($247.25),the player's credit card may be charged nine dollars and eighty-ninecents ($9.89). In some embodiments, a player may provide a credit cardbefore activating a contract, and a pre-authorization process may“freeze” an amount of credit in association with the provision of thecontract, such that a gaming establishment or other entity may charge upto the frozen amount of credit upon reconciliation of the contract. Inother embodiments, a player may establish a debit account beforereceiving a contract. For example, a player may provide fifty dollars($50), which may be established as a balance of a financial accountassociated with the player (e.g., associated with a player identifierand/or contract identifier). Thus, should the player accrue anyincremental contract fees during contract play (e.g., a fee of fivecents (5¢) per every three game plays), the account balance may bedecremented accordingly.

A contract may be established in step 1405 upon a player selectingand/or customizing a contract that the player is eligible to enter intoand upon the player providing (or committing to provide at a futuretime) a contract fee associated with a contract. In some embodiments,establishing a contract may comprise associating a contract identifierwith a type of contract and/or a player identifier (e.g., a new recordis established in a purchased contracts database, such as the exampleone illustrated in FIG. 11). Thus, in some embodiments, a player may beprovided with a contract identifier upon a contract being establishedwith the player. In some embodiments, a player may use a contractidentifier so as to signal that one or more game plays should bemonitored pursuant to contract play (e.g., a player provides a contractidentifier before initiating play of a gaming device, such that allsubsequent game play data may be stored in association with a particulargaming contract).

Referring now to step 1410, a contract initiation signal is receivedfrom a gaming device (e.g., by a device monitoring play of the gamingdevice, in order to monitor, analyze and/or store game play dataassociated with a contract, for purposes of calculating and/or providinga benefit defined by the contract). A contract initiation signal maycomprise, for example, an indication that play of a gaming device hasbeen initiated, which play is associated with a contract. For example,the signal may indicate that one or more game plays to be initiatedafter the contract initiation signal are covered by a contract or maypotentially be covered by a contract (e.g., such that a player'sparticipation in the game plays may aid the player in earning orotherwise qualifying for a benefit defined by the contract associatedwith the contract initiation signal). In one embodiment, a contractinitiation signal includes a contract identifier.

In one example, step 1410 may comprise monitoring a gaming device todetermine whether contract play has been initiated on the gaming device.This may be done in lieu of, or in addition to, receiving a contractinitiation signal. For example, a device (e.g., computer 110) maymonitor a state of a gaming device to determine whether a contractidentifier, or other indicator associated with a contract, has beeninput to the gaming device in a manner that may be interpreted as aninitiation of contract play on the gaming device. This determination maycomprise, for example, whether an initiation for contract play has beenrequested at a gaming device (e.g., that a player has inserted acontract or other identifier as an indication that the player desiressubsequent play of the gaming device to count towards the player earningor otherwise qualifying for a benefit defined by the associatedcontract). For example, the gaming device may be monitored to determinewhether a contract card has been inserted into the gaming device or aplayer identifier that is associated with an active contract has beeninserted into the gaming device. In one embodiment, determining thatcontract play has been initiated on a gaming device and/or that arequest to initiation contract play at a gaming device has been receivedat the gaming device may include determining the contract identifierassociated with the contract play.

A controller of the present invention (e.g., computer 110) may receivean initiation signal associated with a contract identifier in a varietyof manners. For example, a card reader device in communication with thecontroller and/or the gaming device may detect the insertion of acontract card and/or player tracking card (e.g., a player is instructedto “Make sure your play is covered! Insert your Contract Card before youplay any slot machine”). The card reader (i.e., a processor thereof,operating in accordance with a program stored in the memory of the cardreader) may then determine a contract identifier associated with thecard (e.g., by reading an encoded magnetic strip and/or retrievingcontract data from a database). Thus, as a controller may communicatewith a card reader device, a controller may receive a contractidentifier. In some embodiments, a controller receiving a contractidentifier may then store game play data associated with the contractidentifier (as will be described with reference to step 1415), such thateach time a player approaches a gaming device, so long as a contractcard is inserted into a card reader device, game play data will bestored (e.g., a controller does not store game play data unless acontract card is inserted). As described, in other embodiments, acontroller may receive a contract identifier in any of the mannersdescribed above (e.g., a gaming device in communication with acontroller receives a PIN code representing a contract identifier via aninput device).

In one or more embodiments, step 1415 may further comprise determiningwhether play of the gaming device from which the contract playinitiation signal was received is covered by the associated gamingcontract. For example, it may be determined whether play of the gamingdevice complies with one or more terms of the contract and/or the gamingdevice is eligible for contract play in accordance with the contract. Asdescribed, in some embodiments, one or more gaming devices maintained bya gaming establishment (e.g., slot machines positioned on a casino slotfloor) may be ineligible for contract play in association with one ormore contracts. Accordingly, in various embodiments of the presentinvention, an “eligibility indication” may be associated with a gamingdevice and/or may be determined for the gaming device (e.g., uponreceiving a contract initiation signal or determining that a request forcontract play has been received at a gaming device). An eligibilityindication may comprise an indication of whether the gaming device iseligible for contract play in general and/or for contract play inaccordance with certain contracts, certain contract types and/orcontracts defining certain terms.

For example, in one or more embodiments, a gaming establishment or otherentity may mark, equip or otherwise configure one or more gaming devicesto output or display a “static” eligibility indication. A staticeligibility indication may inform a prospective player of theeligibility status of one or more particular gaming devices (e.g., agaming device is or is not eligible for contract play), such that theindication may not change over time (e.g., the associated gaming deviceis always ineligible for contract play pursuant to any gaming contract).A variety of static eligibility indications are contemplated within thescope of the present invention, including but not limited to stickers,signs or other physical objects affixed to or placed on or near a gamingdevice, such that text, graphics and/or icons indicate an eligibilitystatus (e.g., a sticker reads “This machine eligible for ContractPlay”). In one example, a gaming establishment or other entity may fitall eligible machines with such eligibility indications before anygaming contracts are provided to players.

In other embodiments, a “dynamic” eligibility indication may beassociated with one or more gaming devices. A dynamic eligibilityindication may inform a prospective player of the eligibility status ofone or more particular gaming devices (e.g., a gaming device is or isnot eligible for contract play), such that the indication may changeover time (e.g., the associated gaming device may at times be eligiblefor contract play, and at other times may not be eligible). A variety ofdynamic eligibility indications are contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, a dynamic eligibility indicatormay comprise a light (e.g., when an LED under which text reads“Contracts OK” is lit, the machine is eligible). In other embodiments, adynamic eligibility indicator may comprise text, icons and/or graphicsoutput by a gaming device display screen (e.g., while a gaming device isidle, an “attract mode” sequence indicates “This machine eligible forContract Play”). In further embodiments, a dynamic eligibility indicatormay comprise a voice recording output via one or more gaming devicespeakers (e.g., a voice indicates “This machine eligible for ContractPlay”). Such dynamic eligibility indicators may be programmed on aperiodic or continual basis such that an eligibility status associatedwith one or more gaming devices may be changed as desired. For example,if a payback percentage or jackpot amount associated with a gamingdevice changes such that it is outside of an acceptable range, a gamingdevice eligibility rules database may indicate that the gaming device isno longer eligible for contract play, and thus, a status indicator maychange.

In some embodiments, a gaming device may be eligible for contract playin accordance with some contracts or contracts defining certain termsbut not others. In such embodiments, the gaming device may indicatewhich contracts, or contract terms, the gaming device is authorized tosupport.

In this manner, a player who has established a contract (e.g., a playerbearing a contract card) may recognize whether a particular gamingdevice is eligible for contract play (or eligible for contract play inaccordance with the player's particular contract), so as to prevent asituation wherein a player believes a refund is due for a loss amountthat was incurred by game play at an ineligible gaming device. Further,in some embodiments, a player may (i) approach an ineligible gamingdevice, (ii) provide a contract identifier, and (iii) receive an“ineligibility warning indication” (e.g., a display screen reads, “Youhave inserted a Contract Card, but this machine is ineligible forContract Play. Any losses you incur will not be refunded. Would youstill like to play?”). In other embodiments, a casino representative mayprovide an ineligibility indication warning (e.g., verbally). Thus, inone embodiment step 1410 may comprise determining whether or not anassociated gaming device is eligible for contract play, and if not,outputting an ineligibility warning indication.

Referring now to step 1415, data associated with play of the gamingdevice at which contract play has been initiated is stored. In oneembodiment, the data is stored provided it is verified that play of thegaming device is covered under the terms of the contract (e.g., thegaming device is eligible for contract play in accordance with thecontract and play of the gaming device complies with one or more theterms of the contract). The data may be stored, for example, in a memoryof the device that is monitoring play of the gaming device (e.g.,computer 110). For example, computer 110 may, upon receiving thecontract initiation signal in Step 1410, open a record in a databaseused to track sessions associated with contract and/or access theappropriate record of a purchased contracts database based on thecontract identifier associated with the subject contract. The datadetermined based on the play of the gaming device may thus be stored insuch a record.

As stated, in some embodiments, a player may establish a contract,approach an eligible gaming device, and indicate a desire to initiatecontract play associated with a contract identifier (e.g., the playerinserts a contract card into a card reader). Accordingly, a controller(e.g., computer 110) in communication with a gaming device and/orperipheral device may store data (e.g., game play data) associated witha contract identifier.

For example, turning to FIG. 11 and record R1100-3 thereof inparticular, a player “P-000165” may have been provided with a contractcard associated with a contract identified as “C-000003”. The contractmay entitle the player to receive a one hundred percent (100%) refund ofany incurred losses between 9 AM and 3 PM, provided the player pays anup-front, flat contract fee of forty dollars ($40) and maintains a rateof play of at least five hundred (500) game plays per hour. The playermay then approach a twenty-five cent (25¢) denomination five-reel, videoslot machine and insert the contract card into a card reader. The playermay then establish a credit balance (e.g., the player deposits twentydollars ($20) via a bill acceptor device) and begin to gamble. Forexample, before spinning the reels, the player may activate nine (9)paylines at a cost of twenty-five cents (25¢) each, thus establishing awager amount of two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) (i.e., nine(9) credits) in association with the game play. The reels may then spin,and resolve to an outcome of “lime-lime-lime-plum-bell,” yielding apayout of one dollar ($1.00) (i.e., payout amount) associated with thegame play. Thus, a loss amount associated with the game play may be onedollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) (i.e., the payout amount subtractedfrom the wager amount). Play may continue in this manner for some periodof time, such that a controller may track a wager amount, payout amountand/or win/loss amount associated with each game play. Such data maythen be stored in a database in association with the contractidentifier. For example, in one embodiment, a controller may store a“total wager,” “total win” and “total loss” associated with a gamingcontract (e.g., the controller sums data associated with a plurality ofgame plays, as is depicted by FIG. 11).

Additionally, a controller may determine a “period remaining” associatedwith a contract, based on the data determined and/or stored in step1415. For example, in one embodiment, a contract may define a totalperiod of time a certain number of hours (e.g., six hours of game play).Thus, in one embodiment, upon receiving a contract initiation signal(e.g., a player inserts a contract card), a controller may decrement(e.g., continuously, periodically, in response to a passage of a unit oftime or an initiation of a game play, as appropriate) the time playedfrom the total period of time, thereby determining a “period remaining”for a contract. Such a period remaining may be stored in an appropriaterecord of a database (e.g., a record for tracking a player's play inaccordance with the subject contract) in accordance with the timeelapsed. Further, in one or more embodiments, a controller may beprogrammed to determine a contract play termination signal (e.g., theplayer's removal of a contract card from a card reader device incommunication with a controller), as described below with respect tostep 1420. Accordingly, in one example, if a period of time defined by acontract comprises a certain number of hours, and a player removes acontract card from a card reader, the controller may no longer decrementa period remaining in an appropriate record of a database (e.g., theappropriate record of the purchase contracts database 1100) inaccordance with the time elapsed. In this manner, a player may (i)insert a contract card and initiate a number of game plays associatedwith contract play at a first gaming device, (ii) remove the card suchthat a period remaining record is no longer decremented, (iii) re-insertthe card at a second gaming device (e.g., a second contract initiationsignal is received) and continue game play associated with a gamingcontract (e.g., a player may move from slot machine to slot machine,without the time spent traveling between devices being held againsthim).

In another embodiment, a period of time defined by a contract may definea period of time that is a certain time period during one or moreparticular days (e.g., a contract period is Aug. 31, 2004 between 9 AMand 3 PM). In one such example, a controller may decrement a “periodremaining” record of a contract database as the end of the periodapproaches (e.g., “2 hours, 10 minutes” remain before 3 PM). In afurther embodiment, a period of time defined by a contract may comprisea number of game plays (e.g., one thousand (1,000) game plays), in whichcase a controller may decrement a number of game plays remaining as aplayer associated with the contract participates in game plays coveredby the contract. In another embodiment, a period of time defined by acontract may comprise a number of hours within a range of hours (e.g.,two (2) hours between 9 AM and 2 PM). Accordingly, a controller maydecrement a period remaining record of a database in accordance witheach game play covered under the contract and occurring during theperiod between 9 AM and 2 PM.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, a player may have enteredinto a contract that is active, but may participate in one or more gameplays that are not associated with the contract (e.g., a controller maydetermine “non-contract play” associated with a player, such thatinapplicable game plays may not be decremented from a period remainingrecord of a contract database and the player's participating in the gameplays not covered under the contract does not aid the player inqualifying for or otherwise earning a benefit defined by the contract).For example, in one embodiment, a player may approach a gaming deviceand insert a player tracking card instead of a contract card. Thus, anyplay that occurs while the player tracking card is inserted may notcount towards the player qualifying for or otherwise earning a benefitunder the contract. In another embodiment, upon a player inserting aplayer tracking card into a gaming device it may be determine that theplayer is associated with an active contract and that the gaming deviceis eligible for contract play in accordance with the contract.Accordingly, the player may be queried (e.g., via an output device ofthe gaming device or a component thereof) whether the player would liketo have the game play the player participates in on the gaming device becovered under the contract. In one embodiment, such a player may have anoption to designate one or more game plays as covered under the contractat any time while playing the gaming device.

It should be noted that an identified player associated with an activecontract (e.g., as indicated by a player database) who attempts toinitiate a game play without indicating that the play of the gamingdevice is to be covered under the active contract (or who indicates thatthe play of the gaming device is not to be covered under the activecontract) may receive a warning message via any of the output devicesdescribed herein (e.g., “Your losses will not be covered. Are you sureyou'd like to continue?”, if the benefit defined by the contract is arefund of losses).

In some embodiments, a controller or other device may store a wager,payout and/or win/loss data associated with each game play associatedwith a contract. For example, a database may comprise a “gameplay-by-game play” record of wager, win and/or loss data for each gameplay completed under a contract. In one such embodiment, a controller orother device may also store outcome data, gaming device data and/or timedata in association with each game play (e.g., the outcome“cherry-cherry-cherry” was achieved on gaming device “D-000192” at 3:10PM on Aug. 31, 2004), irrespective of whether the game play isdetermined at the time to be associated with or covered by a contract.Such data may subsequently be accessed, for example, to determinewhether a player has complied with one or more terms of a contractand/or earned or otherwise qualified for a benefit defined by acontract. Thus, in an alternate embodiment, one or more records of adatabase used for storing game data for game plays completed on one ormore gaming devices may store the following example information for eachgame play (wherein each game play may or may not be associated with aparticular gaming contract):

DEVICE TIME OUTCOME WAGER PAYOUT D-000192 3:10 Ch-ch-ch $1.50 $10.00D-000192 3:11 Pl-pl-bar $1.50  $0.00

It should be noted that such game play-by-game play records may be usedin step 1140, described below, in determining whether a benefit is dueto a player in accordance with a contract. Such data may also be usedwhen printing a contract receipt, such as the example one illustrated inFIG. 13.

As stated, in some embodiments, an incremental contract fee may beassociated with a contract (e.g., a player is charged one cent (1¢) forevery twenty-five cents (25¢) wagered). Thus, in some embodiments, step1415 (or an additional and distinct step of process 1400) may compriseassessing or determining an incremental fee to be paid by a player. Asdescribed, this may be done in a variety of manners. For example, in oneembodiment, a player may establish a debit account balance from whichincremental fees may be deducted (e.g., a controller tracks wageringactivity associated with a contract, such that one cent (1 ¢) isdeducted from an associated account in accordance with every twenty-fivecents (25¢) wagered). In another embodiment, incremental contract feesmay be charged to a player's credit card (though it should be notedthat, in some embodiments, it may be preferable to wait and “batch” suchcharges at once). In an alternate embodiment, a player may provide anincremental contract fee via a gaming device (e.g., during contractplay, each payline of a five cent (5¢) denomination slot machine coststen cents (10¢) to activate).

In some embodiments, a player may be provided with a “contract statusupdate.” Accordingly, step 1420 (or another distinct step of process1400) may comprise outputting a contract status update to a player. Acontract status update may comprise, for example, an indication of thestatus of a player's compliance with one or more terms of a contract, astatus of a current value of a benefit earned by a player in accordancewith a contract, and/or a status of a player's progress in earning orotherwise qualifying for a benefit defined by a contract. In one or moreembodiments, a contract status update may be output to a player inresponse to a player's request for such an update. In anotherembodiment, a contract status update may be output continuously,substantially continuously, periodically, in response to one or morequalifying events, or on another basis. A contract status update may beprovided, for example, via a gaming device or component thereof (e.g.,computer 110 may direct a player tracking device to output the contractstatus update), a contract kiosk, casino personnel, a smart card, a Website, or via another appropriate and/or desirable means. In oneembodiment, a contract card may comprise one or more input devices(e.g., a “check status button”) and/or output devices (e.g., a small LEDdisplay screen), such that the card may be configured to output contractstatus updates.

As described, in one embodiment a player may proactively request acontract status update. For example, a player may request a contractstatus update in a variety of manners (e.g., actuating an input deviceof a gaming device or kiosk, dialing in to an IVRU, asking a casinorepresentative, etc). For example, in one embodiment, a player may checkthe status of a contract by inserting a contract card into a kiosk andselecting “See My Contract Status.”

As also described, in other, “passive”, embodiments, a player may beprovided with a status update without proactively requesting an update.For example, a display device in communication with a controller, butaffixed to a gaming device (e.g., an LED screen of a player trackingcard reader device), may periodically (or on another basis) output acontract status update message.

In various embodiments, a contract status update may comprise a varietyof contract terms and the status thereof and/or other data, includingbut not limited to (i) “period remaining” data, such that a player maylearn how much time and/or how many game plays remain in associationwith the subject contract (e.g., a display indicates “35 minutesremaining”); (ii) contract fee data, such that a player may learn of anyincremental fees that have accrued in association with the subjectcontract (e.g., an IVRU indicates “You have totaled $5.87 in contractfees thus far”); (iii) loss data, such that a player may learn of anylosses that a player has incurred during contract play (e.g., arepresentative accesses contract data using a casino personnel device,and tells the player “You've accumulated $105.40 in losses so far”);(iv) refund data, such that a player may learn of any refund amountwhich may be due to a player (e.g., a controller multiplies a lossamount by a refund rate, and determines that forty-five dollars andseventy cents ($45.70) is to be refunded to the customer); and so on.

In one or more embodiments, step 1420 (or another distinct step ofprocess 1400) may comprise determining whether a player is in compliancewith one or more terms of a gaming contract. For example, it may bedetermined, based on game play data, whether a game play a player hasinitiated, has requested to initiate, or has completed, complies withone or more play requirements or play restrictions defined by thesubject contract. As described, in some embodiments, one or more playrequirements or play restrictions may be associated with a contract. Forexample, in one embodiment, a play restriction comprises a maximum wageramount associated with each game play initiated during contract play(e.g., a player must not bet more than fifty cents (50¢) each time hespins a slot machine). Accordingly, in some embodiments, a controller oranother device may be operable to (i) determine a play restrictionassociated with a contract, (ii) determine whether or not a player is incompliance with the play restriction, and if not (iii) output a “playrestriction noncompliance warning.” Continuing with the above example, aplayer who then activates three twenty-five cents (25¢) denominationslot machine paylines (e.g., establishes a wager amount of seventy-fivecents (75¢) associated with a game play, which is greater than the fiftycent (50¢) maximum as indicated by the contract) and presses “spin” maybe prompted with a noncompliance warning via any of the output devicesdescribed herein (e.g., a gaming device display screen indicates:“Warning! You are wagering more than is covered by your contract! Anylosses you incur for this game play will not be eligible for a refund.Would you like to continue anyway?”). In an alternate embodiment, aplayer who is not in compliance with a play restriction of a contractmay not be permitted to play a gaming device and/or to initiate the gameplay that would cause the player to not be in compliance with thecontract.

Referring now to step 1420, it is determined whether a contract playtermination signal has been received. This determination may comprise,for example, determining whether a player and/or gaming device hascaused a signal to be transmitted to the controller or other devicemonitoring play of the gaming device, the signal indicating atermination of play of the gaming device in accordance with thecontract. For example, in one embodiment a contract play terminationsignal may comprise a signal that a player has removed a contract cardand/or a player tracking card from the gaming device. In anotherexample, a contract play termination signal may comprise a signal thatthe player has indicated that game plays initiated on the gaming deviceare no longer to count towards the player satisfying the requirements ofthe contract (e.g., unless and until the player indicates otherwise). Inyet another example, a contract play termination signal may comprise asignal that the player has moved away from a proximity of the gamingdevice (e.g. based on data determined by a proximity, motion and/orweight sensor associated with the gaming device) or has otherwisediscontinued play of the gaming device or play of the gaming device inaccordance with the contract.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments in which a gaming device iscompletely or relatively passive in aiding a controller to monitor playof the gaming device in accordance with a contract, a contracttermination signal may not be received from the gaming device. Rather,the controller or other device monitoring play of the gaming device maydetermine that contract play has been terminated at the gaming device bydetermining one or more of (i) determining that a contract and/or playercard has been removed from the gaming device; (ii) determining that aplayer has indicated to a casino attendant that the player no longerdesires to have play of the gaming device covered by the contract;and/or (iii) determining that the player has moved away from the gamingdevice or otherwise discontinued play of the gaming device completely orat least in accordance with the contract. In such an embodiment, step1420 may comprise determining, from data obtained from the gamingdevice, that play of the gaming device in accordance with the contracthas been terminated.

In one embodiment, a player may (i) insert a contract card, (ii)initiate a number of game plays pursuant to contract play, and (iii)leave a gaming device, but forget to remove a contract card. In someembodiments, a controller or other device may be operable to detect such“breaks in play” (e.g., periods of time during which a contract card isinserted during which no game plays have been initiated). For example, acontract card may be inserted at 5:05 PM. A player may then play anumber of game plays, the last of which occurs at 5:23 PM. If thecontract card then sits idle in the reader for a predetermined period oftime (e.g., the player leaves, forgets his card, and doesn't come backfor more than ten (10) minutes), a controller may determine that onlythe period of time during which the gaming device was not idle may counttoward the contract (e.g., a period remaining field of a contractdatabase is decremented by only eighteen (18) minutes, the time spanfrom when the player inserted the card until the last game play wasinitiated).

If it is determined in step 1420 that a contract play termination signalhas been received, the process continues to step 1430. Otherwise, theprocess continues to step 1425.

Referring now to step 1425, it is determined whether an end of a periodof time defined by the contract has occurred. For example, it may bedetermined whether a maximum units of time defined by the contract haveoccurred (e.g., the contract defines a period of two (2) hours and theplayer has completed two (2) hours of play under the terms of thecontract). In another example, it may be determined whether a maximumnumber of game plays defined by the contract have been completed inaccordance with the contract. In yet another example, it may bedetermined whether an ending time defined by the contract (e.g., 2 PM onJul. 1, 2005) is a current time. In one embodiment, determining that aperiod of time defined by the contract has ended may comprise, forexample, informing the player associated with the contract of thisdetermination (e.g., causing a gaming device to output a messageinforming the player that no more game plays will be covered by thecontract because the period of time defined by the contract has ended).In one embodiment, determining that a period of time defined by thecontract may further comprise causing play of the gaming device to bepaused, ended or otherwise interrupted (e.g., so as to inform the playerthat subsequent play of the gaming device is no longer covered by thecontract).

It should be noted that, in one embodiment, a gaming device may beoperable to determine that a period of time defined by a contract hasended and transmit a contract play termination signal based upon such adetermination. In such an embodiment, steps 1420 and 1425 mayeffectively be combined and/or performed by different devices (e.g.,step 1425 is performed by a gaming device and prior to step 1420, whilestep 1420 is performed by a controller). It should again be emphasizedthat the steps of process 1400 (or of any other process describedherein) may be performed in an order different from that described, asis practicable, convenient and/or desirable.

If it is determined, in step 1425, that a period of time defined by thesubject contract has not ended, the process 1400 returns to step 1415,in which data associated with play of the gaming device is stored.Otherwise, the process 1400 continues to step 1430.

It should be noted that steps 1430, 1435, 1440 and 1445 may beconsidered a “reconciliation process” for a contract and, in someembodiments, may be performed as a subroutine distinct from theremainder of process 1400. For example, while one or more of the steps1430, 1435, 1440 and 1445 may be performed by a contract kiosk 140 or acontract server, the remainder of process 1400 may be performed bycomputer 110. A reconciliation process (e.g., a process via which acontract is reconciled) may comprise, for example, a process via whichit is determined (i) whether a player has complied with a contract suchthat a player has qualified for or otherwise earned a benefit defined bythe contract; (ii) what the value, if any, is of a benefit to beprovided to a player as a result of complying with the terms of thecontract; (iii) providing the player with the benefit; and/or (iv)obtaining or attempting to obtain any contract fee or otherconsideration due from a player in exchange for the contract, if suchfee or other consideration has not yet been obtained or has not beenattempted to be obtained.

In one embodiment, a reconciliation of a contract may be initiated by aplayer. For example, a player approaches a casino booth, casinoattendant and/or contract kiosk and requests a benefit defined by thecontract (e.g., refund amount), thereby requesting reconciliation of thecontract. In another embodiment, a reconciliation of a contract may beinitiated by a device (e.g., computer 110, kiosk 140) in response to anoccurrence of one or more predetermined events. For example, the devicemay reconcile all contracts every night at midnight or may reconcileeach contract as contract play under the contract is terminated and/or aperiod of time defined by the contract is determined to have ended.

In some embodiments, reconciling a contract may comprise providing arefund or other benefit based at least in part on the data stored duringstep 1415. In general, it may be advantageous to record the refund thatis due as a debt, an account payable, or in another form that is readilymanaged by known accounting systems (e.g., which a casino uses) and/oradvantageous to a casino or other entity.

In one example, a player may provide a credit card to purchase acontract with an associated refund rate of seventy-five percent (75%)and a contract fee of fifty dollars ($50). Thus, in some embodiments, afifty dollar ($50) charge may be pre-authorized (or “frozen”) inassociation with the player's credit card, as is known in the art (e.g.,fifty dollars ($50) in funds are reserved against the card's creditlimit, though this may not be the amount that is ultimately charged).After it is determined that a period of time defined by the contract isdetermined to have ended, it may be determined that the player hasaccumulated eighty-five dollars ($85) in losses. Accordingly, the playermay then approach a contract kiosk 140, insert a contract card, and bepresented with a menu of options (e.g., “Purchase a contract extension,”“Review your contract,” “Settle your contract and receive a receipt”),from which the player may elect to reconcile a contract (e.g., theplayer selects “Settle your contract”). Thus, as the player may beentitled to a refund amount of sixty-three dollars and seventy-fivecents ($63.75) (i.e., seventy-five percent (75%) of eighty-five dollars($85)), the player's credit card may be charged thirteen dollars andseventy-five cents ($13.75), (e.g., the refund amount owed to thecustomer minus the fifty dollar ($50) contract fee). It should be notedthat, in an alternate embodiment, a player may be provided with a refundamount in cash (e.g., a kiosk outputs sixty-three dollars andseventy-five cents ($63.75) in cash via a benefit output device), whilethe player's credit card may be charged the contract fee amount (e.g.,fifty dollars ($50) is charged to the player's credit card).

In yet another example of reconciling a contract, a player may establishan eighty dollar ($80) balance in a financial account associated with acontract. The contract may allow the player to receive a one hundredpercent (100%) refund on any losses incurred over the course of a twelve(12) hours of game play, and a contract fee associated with the contractmay decrement the financial account balance by one dollar ($1) every onehundred and fifty (150) game plays. Thus, the player may have initiatednine thousand four hundred and thirty-five (9,435) game plays, totalingsixty-two dollars ($62) in contract fees which may be decrementedagainst the account balance (i.e., leaving the player with an eighteendollar ($18) account balance). The player may have also accumulatedthree hundred and two dollars and forty cents ($302.40) in losses duringcontract play. Accordingly, once the period of time defined by thecontract is determined to have ended (e.g., and a display device of acard reader device outputs a “contract complete” indication to theplayer after twelve (12) hours of play are complete), the player maydial-in to an IVRU operable to facilitate one or more embodiments, andbe provided with a menu of options (e.g., “Press ‘1’ to reconcile yourcontract, press ‘2’ to extend your contract . . . ”), such that theplayer may indicate a desire to reconcile a contract (e.g., the playerpresses the appropriate button of a cellular phone keypad). Accordingly,an IVRU in communication with a controller may indicate that a casinorepresentative must be dispatched to a particular location on the casinofloor (e.g., to a particular gaming device, as identifier by the playerwhen prompted by the IVRU). Thus, a representative may approach theplayer, and provide a payment of three hundred and twenty dollars andforty cents ($320.40) (i.e., the refund amount plus the remainingfinancial account balance), as well as a receipt therefore.

In some embodiments, a player must confirm or acknowledge that theplayer has received a refund amount. For example, a contract receipt(e.g., such as the example one illustrated in FIG. 13) may require thata player sign to acknowledge receipt of payment and a copy of the signedreceipt may be collected by the casino.

Further, in some embodiments, providing a refund amount to a player maycomprise updating casino accounting data so as to reflect the payment(e.g., a debit of fifty-three dollars and five cents ($53.05) from acasino account is marked as being paid to player “P-000529” pursuant toa refund associated with gaming contract “C-011245”).

Further still, in some embodiments, upon the ending of a period of timedefined by a contract, a player may be provided with a “contract periodcomplete” message. Such a message may be output via any of the outputdevices described herein.

Still further, in one embodiment, a third party may process themanagement and payment of refunds or provision of other benefits definedby a contract. For example, a third party may (i) determine a refundamount due to a player, (ii) pay the player the refund amount, and/or(iii) charge the casino/operator for the refund amount. Such anembodiment may be advantageous in freeing the casino from the associatedoperating overhead of managing payment of refunds.

Referring now to step 1430, it is determined whether the data stored instep 1415 indicates compliance with the subject contract. Such adetermination may comprise, for example, determining one or more termsof the contract (e.g., play requirements or play restrictions defined bythe contract) and determining, based on the stored data, whether the oneor more terms have been satisfied. For example, if a player requirementspecifies a minimum acceptable rate of play, determining compliance withthe contract may comprise calculating a rate of play achieved and/ormaintained by the player while participating in game plays covered bythe contract and determining whether the calculated rate is at least theminimum acceptable rate.

It should be noted that, in one embodiment, a determination ofcompliance with a contract may be performed during a period of timedefined by the contract and/or prior to receiving a contract playtermination signal, in lieu of or in addition to being performed after aperiod of time defined by the contract is determined to have endedand/or a contract play termination signal is determined to have beenreceived. For example, while game play data is being determined andstored in step 1415, the data may be analyzed and compared to the termsof the subject contract (e.g., in a continuous, substantiallycontinuous, or periodic manner) to determine whether the player iscomplying with the terms of the contract. Accordingly, step 1430 may beperformed earlier in process 1400 than is depicted.

If it is determined, in step 1430, that the contract has not beencomplied with, process 1400 continues to step 1430, in which step anindication of non-compliance with the contract is stored (e.g., in adatabase, such as the purchased contracts database depicted in FIG. 11).Additionally, a message informing the player of the determinednon-compliance (and, for example, the reasons therefore) may be outputto the player. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the contracthas been complied with, the process 1400 continues to step 1440.

In step 1440 it is determined whether a benefit is due to a playerassociated with the contract. For example, if the determination ofcompliance with the contract has been performed prior to an ending of aperiod of time defined by the contract (e.g., the determination ofcompliance was performed during the period of time) and the contractspecifies that the benefit is to be provided at the end of the period oftime, it may be determined that a benefit is not yet due to the player.If it is determined that a benefit is not yet due, the process 1400 ends(step 1450). Otherwise, the process 1400 continues to step 1445.

In step 1445, the benefit due to the player is provided to the player.Providing the benefit to the player may comprise, for example,authorizing a device and/or casino personnel to provide the benefit tothe player. For example, if the benefit comprises a monetary amount, adevice (e.g., contract kiosk or gaming device) may be directed todispense an appropriate amount of cash or coins or a cashless gamingreceipt redeemable for the appropriate amount of cash. In anotherexample, if a benefit comprises an amount of comp points to be awardedto a player, a device (e.g., computer 110) may cause the appropriateamount of comp points to be added to an account of comp pointsassociated with the player. In yet another example, if a benefitcomprises a discount or gift certificate to a retail establishment (suchthat a player may receive goods and/or services by providing such a giftcertificate or voucher), providing the benefit may comprise printing orotherwise providing an instrument entitling the player to the discountor appropriate gift certificate amount. Other manners of providing abenefit would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art uponreading the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, providing the benefit to the player may comprisedetermining a value of a benefit to be provided to the player.Determining a value of a benefit to be provided to the player isdescribed in more detail below with respect to step 1540 of process1500.

It should be emphasized again that in one or more embodiments, a benefitmay be provided to a player during a period of time defined by acontract (e.g., a number of comp points may be earned by the player andadded to an account of comp points associated with the player, a featureof a gaming device is to be activate, a gaming device is authorizedand/or directed to allow a player to continue gambling even though acredit meter balance of the gaming device has been depleted below apredetermined level, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 15, illustrated therein is a flowchart of aprocess 1500 that is consistent with one or more embodiments encompassedby the present description. The process 1500 illustrates various uses ofthe various databases described herein. Process 1500 may be performed,for example, by computer 110 that is monitoring activity at gamingdevices in order to, among other things, gather data for purposes ofdetermining whether players have earned or otherwise qualified forbenefits defined by contracts entered into by the players. It should benoted that, as is true for all processes described herein, a firstportion of process 1500 may be performed by a first device (e.g.,computer 110) while a second portion of the process 1500 may beperformed by a second device (e.g., contract kiosk 140).

Referring now to step 1505, a determination is made as to whether gameplay has been initiated at a gaming device. This determination may bemade based on, for example, a signal received from a gaming deviceand/or based on monitoring activity at the gaming device. Determiningthat game play has been initiated at a gaming device may comprisedetermining, for example, (i) that a credit meter balance has beenestablished at a gaming device, (ii) that a start button has beenactuated or handle has been pulled at the gaming device, (iii) that aplayer identifier and/or contract identifier has been inserted into thegaming device, (iv) that the presence of a player has been detectedwithin proximity to the gaming device, and/or (v) that a player hasbegun configuring the gaming device to his preferences. It should benoted that determining that game play has been initiated does notnecessarily mean that a particular game play has yet been initiated butmay merely indicate that it appears as if a player intends to shortlyinitiate a particular game play.

In step 1510 it is determined whether a contract identifier has beenreceived at the gaming device. This determination may comprise, forexample, determining whether a player has keyed in a contract identifierto a keyboard of the gaming device, has inserted an instrument (e.g.,paper receipt bearing machine readable indicia, contract card, playeridentifier associated with an active contract, etc.) indicating thecontract identifier into the gaming device, has spoken the contractidentifier into the gaming device, or has otherwise indicated a contractidentifier to the gaming device. An indication being received by orinput into a gaming device encompasses, of course, the indication beingreceived by or input into a component of the gaming device.

If it is determined that a contract identifier has not been received,the process 1500 ends (step 1515). Otherwise, the process 1500 continuesto step 1520.

In step 1520 it is determined whether the contract associated with thecontract identifier applies to the current play of the gaming device(e.g., whether play of the gaming device is covered under the contract).For example, it may be determined (i) whether play of the gaming devicewould potentially satisfy a play requirement defined by the contract,(ii) whether the gaming device is eligible for contract play inaccordance with the contract, and/or (iii) whether a period of timedefined by the contract has not yet expired. If these exampledeterminations (or other appropriate determinations) are answered in theaffirmative, it may be determined that the contract is applicable to thecurrent play of the gaming device and the process 1500 may continue tostep 1530. Otherwise the process 1535 may continue to step 1535, whereina warning message may be output to the player (e.g., computer 110directs the gaming device to output the message), informing the playerthat play of the gaming device will not be covered under the contractand thus the player may not earn or otherwise qualify for the benefitdefined by the contract by playing the gaming device.

In step 1530, data associated with play of the gaming device isdetermined. Determining the data may comprise, for example, receivingdata associated with one or more game plays initiated and/or completedat the gaming device (e.g., wager posted, outcomes and/or payoutreceived, time each game play is initiated, etc.) and/or determiningsuch data by monitoring the events at the gaming device. Determiningsuch data may further comprise storing such data. Many manners ofdetermining (e.g., monitoring, receiving, storing, etc.) data associatedwith play of a gaming device have been described with respect to step1415 of process 1400, above, and will be described with respect to step1605 of process 1600, below. These descriptions are equally applicableto step 1530 and need not be repeated herein for purposes of brevity.

In some embodiments, step 1530 may further comprise analyzing such datato determine whether the player is satisfying one or more playrequirements defined by the contract, whether a period of time definedby the contract has ended, and/or to determine another piece ofinformation relevant to the contract. In other embodiments, determiningthe data may not involve any analysis of the data during step 1530.

In step 1535 it is determine whether a benefit is due to a playerassociated with the contract play of the gaming device for which data isbeing determined in step 1535. For example, it may be determined whethera player has earned or otherwise qualified for the benefit defined bythe contract. As described, in one or more embodiments, a benefit may beprovided to a player while the player is participating in game playscovered by the contract and before a period of time defined by thecontract has ended. For example, assume a benefit defined by thecontract entitles the player to complete five hundred (500) game playsin exchange for a single pre-payment of a predetermined amount (e.g.,twenty dollars ($20)) and irrespective of whether the credit meterbalance of a gaming device on which the player is participating in thegame plays is depleted below a predetermined level. In such an example,step 1535 may comprise determining whether the credit meter balance hasbeen depleted below the predetermined level and, if so, whether theplayer has any game plays remaining to be completed under the terms ofthe contract.

If so, an additional amount of credits may be added to the credit meterbalance of the gaming device (e.g., by computer 110), without requiringpayment therefore from the player, and/or the gaming device may beauthorized to allow the player to continue posting wagers and track theposted wagers by continuing to subtract them from the credit meterbalance and allowing the credit meter balance to reflect an amount lessthan zero. In another example, a benefit defined by a contract maycomprise an earning of comp points at an accelerated rate and/or accessto a bonus round or other feature of the gaming device that would nototherwise be accessible to the player (e.g., without providingadditional payment therefore or not at all). In such an example,determining whether the benefit is due to the player may comprisedetermining whether the player has satisfied the play requirementsdefined by the contract such that the appropriate amount of comp points(calculated at the accelerated rate) should be added to the player'scomp point account and/or whether the player should be granted access tothe bonus round or other feature of the gaming device.

If it is determined, in step 1535, that a benefit is not due, theprocess 1500 continues to step 1550. Otherwise, the process 1500continues to step 1540, in which the benefit due to the player isdetermined. Determining the benefit may comprise, for example,calculating a value of the benefit (e.g., calculating a number of comppoints to be provided to the player, calculating a monetary amount to beprovided to the player, calculating an amount of free additional gameplays to be provided to the player, etc.). This may comprise, forexample, retrieving a formula from a memory (e.g., the formula may bestored in an available contracts database or a purchased contractsdatabase, which may be accessed based on the contract identifier andusing the formula to determine the value of the benefit. In otherembodiments, the value of the benefit may be static and not dynamic(e.g., the value of the benefit is predetermined and does not vary basedon any behavior or activity of the player). In such an embodiment,determining the benefit may simply comprise determining the nature andvalue of the benefit based on data stored in memory (e.g., by retrievingit from an available contracts database or a purchased contractsdatabase, based on the contract identifier).

In step 1545, the benefit is provided to the player. Providing thebenefit may comprise, for example, causing the gaming device to providethe benefit to the player (e.g., causing the gaming device to activate afeature, causing the gaming device to add credits to the credit meterbalance, causing the gaming device to dispense a cashless gamingreceipt, coins and/or tokens, etc.). In another example, providing thebenefit may comprise crediting an account (e.g., a financial account, acomp point account, an account of accumulated free game plays, etc.)associated with the player and causing the gaming device to inform theplayer of the provided benefit. In yet another example, providing thebenefit may comprise directing a casino attendant to approach the playerand provide the benefit to the player. Many other manners of providing abenefit have been described with respect to step 1445 of process 1400,are equally applicable herein and need not be repeated herein forpurposes of brevity.

Once the benefit has been provided, process 1500 continues to step 1550.In step 1550 it is determined whether an additional game play has beeninitiated and/or completed at the gaming device (e.g., while the steps1535-1545 were being performed and/or since the step 1530 was lastperformed). If so, the process 1500 returns to step 1520, in which it isdetermined whether the contract is applicable to the game play.Otherwise, the process 1500 ends (step 1525).

It should be understood that many variations on the above-describedembodiments are encompassed by the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Some of these variations will now be described.

It should be noted that in some embodiments more than one playeridentifier may be associated with a contract identifier. For example,two players may together receive a multiplayer contract (e.g., twoplayer identifiers are associated with a single contract identifier, andtwo contract cards comprising the same contract identifier are issued,one to each of the two players). Accordingly, two or more players maysimultaneously engage in contract play (e.g., game plays initiated byeither of the two players are associated with contract play). In oneembodiment, a game play initiated by two or more players may have acumulative effect of decrementing a “period remaining” associated withthe associated contract.

For example, if two players receive a contract defining a period of timecomprising eight hours, a first player may insert a contract card into acard reader associated with a first gaming device, and a second playermay simultaneously or soon thereafter insert a second contract card intoa card reader associated with a second gaming device. Each player maythen play for thirty (30) minutes with the contract card inserted, suchthat a “period remaining” record of a purchased contracts database maybe decremented by one hour. Further, in some embodiments, other data maybe aggregated in association with a contract provided to more than oneplayer (e.g., two or more loss amounts are totaled, two or more wageramounts are totaled, etc.), such that a refund amount may be provided toone or more players (e.g., one player accepts a refund amount on behalfof two players, a first and second player each receive half of a totalrefund amount, etc.) based on the aggregate of the play data associatedwith the two players.

In some embodiments, a player may be provided with a “cash advanceamount.” For example, in one embodiment, a player may have paid onehundred dollars ($100) to establish a contract entitling the player toreceive a one hundred percent (100%) refund on all losses incurred bygame play between 11 AM and 9 PM. Accordingly, the player may incur asubstantial amount of losses before the period of time defined by thecontract ends (e.g., by 5 PM), such that the player may have spentthrough a gambling budget. Thus, the player may have no more cash withwhich to wager, though the player may desire to play further, as theplayer may be entitled to a one hundred percent (100%) refund on alllosses (e.g., the player thinks, “Even if I spend more cash, I'll get arefund for it all anyway at the end of the contract, so I can't reallylose any more money than the $100 contract fee I spent already”).Accordingly, the player may request a cash advance amount. A request fora cash advance may be received by a variety of entities describedpreviously herein (e.g., gaming devices, kiosks, casino representativesoperating computing devices, etc.). In some embodiments, a cash advancemay comprise a payment of a refund amount (e.g., or portion thereof)that is already due to a customer. For example, a player may haveincurred two hundred dollars ($200) in losses before a period of timedefined by a contract ends.

Thus, the player may approach a casino representative or contract kioskand may receive two hundred dollars ($200) in cash (e.g., in oneembodiment, a cash advance comprises an “early and partialreconciliation” of a contract, such that the player may no longer beentitled to receive a refund for the two hundred dollars ($200) that theplayer paid). In other embodiments, a player may be loaned a cashadvance amount, such that the loan amount may be reflected during acontract reconciliation process described herein (e.g., when a playerreconciles a contract, a player owes any contract fees and loan amounts,less any refund amounts due). In some embodiments, a fee may beassociated with a cash advance (e.g., one dollar ($1) per cash advance).In one such embodiment, a cash advance fee amount may agreed upon as aterm of a contract (e.g., before a contract is established with theplayer, the player agrees to pay a two dollar ($2) fee associated withany cash advance subsequently provided to a player).

In one embodiment, a play restriction may indicate a period of timeduring which one or more particular gaming devices or type of gamingdevices must be played. For example, a play requirement defined by acontract may specify that a first gaming device type (e.g., “Any videopoker machine”) must be played for at least a specified first portion ofthe period of time defined by the contract (e.g., at least one hour outof four hours defined by the contract), and a second gaming device type(e.g., “Wild West Win Slots”) must be played for at least a secondspecified portion of the period of time defined by the contract (e.g.,at least 20 minutes out of the four hours defined by the contract).

In some embodiments, a contract may be valid at more than one gamingestablishment. For example, a player may purchase a gaming contractentitling the player to receive a fifty percent (50%) refund on anylosses incurred during the month of April at any “Casino XYZ” property.In this manner, the player may gamble at a first property maintained byCasino XYZ on a first day in April, and gamble at a second propertymaintained by Casino XYZ on a second day in April, and expect to havefifty percent (50%) of all the player's losses refunded.

In another embodiment, a player may purchase a gaming contract from acontract facilitator (e.g., “Gaming Contract Company X”), such that thecontract is valid at any indicated properties with which the contractfacilitator has partnered (e.g., a player purchases a “Las Vegas CasinoPass” from Gaming Contract Company X). In this manner, various systems(e.g., controllers, kiosks, etc.) that are produced, operated, ownedand/or operable to communicate with a device operated by the contractfacilitator may be installed in one or more participating casinos.

As described, in some embodiments a controller may be operable to detectvarious “breaks in play” (e.g., a player leaving a contract card in acard reader device without initiating a game play for a period of time),such that the time which a player is not playing a device may not countagainst a contract (e.g., a value in a “period remaining” field of apurchased contracts database is not decremented). In one suchembodiment, the time a player spends in a “bonus round” or othersecondary game may not be counted against a period of time defined by acontract.

As is known in the art, player tracking cards typically provide playerswith an amount of “complimentary points” based on game play (e.g., aplayer earns one point for each game play, such that a player may laterredeem such points for merchandise or other benefits). In one embodimentof the present invention, a player may earn such traditional “comppoints” during contract play. In another embodiment, a player may notearn such traditional comp points during contract play. For example, aplayer associated with an active contract who desires to earn comppoints may be required to insert a traditional player tracking card.Accordingly, a controller may be operable to detect whether a playerwishes to play for comp points, or engage in contract play (e.g.,depending on the type of card the player inserts into a reader device).

In some embodiments, a player may receive a “contract extension” thatentitles the player to an extension of the period of time defined by thecontract. For example, a player may have purchased a contract entitlingthe player to receive a one hundred percent (100%) refund of all lossesincurred within six (6) hours of game play. As described previously,after six (6) hours have elapsed (e.g., a “period remaining” field of apurchased contracts database is completely decremented), the period oftime defined by the contract may be considered to have ended, such thata player may not receive a refund associated with any further play.Thus, a contract extension may allow a player to receive a longercontract period (e.g., the player gains another hour of play duringwhich any losses will be covered by a one hundred percent (100%)refund). A player may be provided with a contract extension in a varietyof manners.

In one example, a player whose period of time defined by a contract hasended may approach a casino representative and pay a fee (e.g., tendollars ($10) per hour) to receive a contract extension (e.g., such thatthe representative uses a computer device in communication with one ormore databases of the present invention to update one or more termsassociated with the player's contract). In another example, a player mayapproach a contract kiosk 140 and select an “Add time” option from amenu of options output via a display screen. In some embodiments, aplayer establishing a contract may select or otherwise be provided withan “automatic extension” option, such that should the period of timedefined by the contract end (e.g., the player completes six hours ofplay), the player may remain eligible to earn a refund amount based onsubsequent play initiated after the end of the period of time if theplayer continues to play. For example, an automatic extension termassociated with a contract may stipulate that once an initial period oftime defined by a contract has ended, a player may be entitled to one ormore “contract extension periods” (e.g., one hour increments of time),with which a “contract extension fee” may be associated (e.g., tendollars ($10) for the first additional hour, fifteen dollars ($15) forthe second additional hour, etc.). Additionally, similar or differentcontract terms may be associated with one or more contract extensionperiods (e.g., a refund rate is one hundred percent (100%) during aninitial contract period, but falls to ninety percent (90%) during acontract extension period). Thus, in one example, a player may purchasea contract for six (6) hours of play with a one hundred percent (100%)refund rate. After the six (6) hours elapse, the player may continue toplay (e.g., a contract card remains inserted in a card reader device andthe player continues to play even after a “contract period complete”message is output to a player as described). Accordingly, contract data(e.g., game play data) may then be stored in association with (i) theoriginal contract identifier or the initial period of time, and/or (ii)a newly created contract extension identifier or an additional period oftime by which the initial period of time has been extended.

In one embodiment, a player may win a contract extension (e.g., on arandom basis and/or in response to certain desirable gambling behaviorby the player). For example, a player may be provided with a “bonuscontract extension” if certain criteria are met (e.g., a contractextension for which no fee is associated). For example, a player may beprovided with a “free extra hour” of coverage if the player (i) playsduring a certain period of time (e.g., “Play for one hour before 7 AM,and get an extra hour FREE after 5 PM”); (ii) maintains a certain rateof play (e.g., “Average more than 600 spins per hour, and get an hour ofcoverage for FREE”); (iii) wagers a certain amount in association withone or more game plays (e.g., “Wager more than $4000 during yourcontract and get an hour FREE”), and/or (v) otherwise qualifies for thecontract extension.

In accordance with some embodiments, gaming device output device(s) maybe configured to output information (e.g., received from the controllerand/or contract kiosk) pertaining to one or more statuses (and/or otherinformation) associated with a contract. For example, a gaming deviceLCD (or other output device) may display information pertaining to thestatus of a particular contract to an associated player (e.g., based ona player identifier, gaming device identifier and/or contractidentifier). Such status information may include, for example, anindication of one or more of the following: (i) an amount of elapsedtime or number of elapsed game plays associated with the contract; (ii)an amount of time or number of game plays remaining subject to thecontract; (iii) a net present refund amount associated with the contract(e.g., a dollar amount and/or percentage of total session wager orsession loss that may be refunded to the player); (iv) net presentwin/loss associated with the contract; (v) an amount of wager remainingsubject to the contract; (vi) an indication of one or more game playparameters required to fulfill the contract; (vii) offers orinstructions to renegotiate or reestablish an existing contract; (viii)offers or advertisements outlining other available contracts or contractterms; (ix) the status of another contract (e.g., the status of a wife'scontract may be output to her husband at a gaming device associated withthe husband's player identifier); (x) information indicating that theterms of a contract have been fulfilled; and/or (xi) informationindicating that the player is in breach of one or more terms of a givencontract (e.g., a text message indicating “In order to be eligible aloss refund, you may wager only one coin per line”).

Such information may be provided and/or updated on a continuous basis(e.g., after each wager or handle pull) and/or periodic basis (e.g., theinformation may be updated twenty times or at regular intervals over thecourse of a given contract). Accordingly, players may be apprised ofvarious statuses or other information associated with one or morecontract(s) while executing play at a gaming device. Alternatively, theexecution of game play may not be necessary in order for a player toinquire or ascertain the status of his or her contract at a gamingdevice. For example, various functions of a contract kiosk 140(described above) may be incorporated into that of a gaming device 130,such that a player may utilize a gaming device in order to inquire aboutand ascertain (e.g., status) information pertaining to a particularcontract (e.g., by inputting a contract card to a gaming device cardreader and actuating an “acquire contract status” button of a gamingdevice). Further, in some embodiments, status information may be outputto a player's cellular phone (e.g., an IVRU may be configured toperiodically dial a player's number and output status information) orother device associated with the player (e.g., to an e-mail accountassociated with the player viewable by a portable computing device).Contract status information may be output at a gaming device via adual-use output device (e.g., an LCD capable of outputting both aplayer's current credit balance and various contract status information)and/or via a dedicated output device (e.g., a peripheral device withdisplay screen dedicated to solely outputting contract statusinformation).

In some embodiments, a player may be allowed to indicate whether a gameplay is to be covered by a contract (e.g., or be used to decrement aperiod remaining associated with a contract) essentially on a gameplay-by-game play basis. For example, prior to initiating a particulargame play (e.g., if the player is feeling unlucky and has entered into acontract which defined a benefit comprising a refund amount), the playermay indicate that this particular game play is to be covered under thecontract (e.g., by inserting his contract card or actuating anappropriate button on the gaming device). In such an embodiment, unlessthe player provides an appropriate indication prior to or at the time ofinitiating a game play, the game play may not be covered by thecontract. In another embodiment, once a player provides an indicationthat a game play is to be covered under a contract, all subsequentlyinitiated game plays are covered by the contract (if the game playsqualify for coverage under the contract) unless and until the playerindicates otherwise.

In some embodiments, a player may be restricted from establishing acontract if the player has previously abused a previously enteredcontract as determined by a gaming establishment. For example, in someembodiments, a player may initiate a number of game plays that is notconsistent with an acceptable manner of play (e.g., a player initiatesno game plays during the first several hours of a period of time definedby a contract, then initiates a large amount of game plays during thefinal thirty (30) minutes). Accordingly, such a player may be “flagged”as a problem player, such that the player is no longer to eligible toenter into a contract and/or no longer eligible to enter into a contractdefining a certain contract term. For example, a “problem flag” mayappear in association with a player identifier of a player database, anda rule of a player eligibility rules database may indicate that shouldthere be a “problem flag,” the player may not be eligible to establish acontract. A process for determining whether a player should be preventedfrom establishing a contract in the future will now be described in moredetail with respect to FIG. 16.

Referring not to FIG. 16, illustrated therein is a flowchart of anexample process 1600 that is consistent with one or more embodimentsencompassed by the present description. In general, the process 1600 maybe performed in order to avoid or reduce a likelihood of players gaminga casino or other entity via purchase of contracts consistent with thepresent invention. In another aspect of the embodiments encompassed bythe process 1600, the process 1600 may be helpful in determining whichtypes of contracts and/or contract terms a player should be eligible for(or restricted from) in the future.

For example, in accordance with one or more embodiment, apparatus,systems and methods may be provided for monitoring a contract (e.g., anagreement between a player and a casino establishment relating to gameplay within the casino). In one or more embodiments, one or more devices(e.g., computer 110, a contract kiosk 140, a gaming device 130, and/or acontract server) may be operable to (i) provide a contract associatedwith a contract identifier (e.g., establish a contract and provide aplayer a contract card), (ii) receive a contract initiation signal(e.g., detect the insertion of the contract card into an eligible gamingdevice), (iii) monitor play data associated with the contract identifier(e.g., track actions by the player), and/or (iv) determine whether toprevent the player from purchasing one or more contracts in the futurebased on the monitored play. Such a system may be advantageous in thatcontracts may be administered with less risk that a player mayintentionally or unintentionally violate the terms or spirit of thecontract (e.g., since a player who knows his game play is beingmonitored for such a purpose may desire avoiding any activity orbehavior that may cause the player to be prevented from purchasing acontract in the future).

For example, in one scenario a player may be tempted to “game” a casinovia abuse of a contract be removing a player tracking card duringcertain game plays (e.g., in order to maximize losses incurred under thecontract) and/or by inserting a contract card into a gaming device beingplayed by another player (e.g., unbeknownst to the other player), inorder to earn a refund based on losses incurred by the other player. Theembodiments described with reference to FIG. 16 aim to prevent or atleast lessen the likelihood of a player gaming a casino in such amanner.

Referring now to step 1605, play of a gaming device is monitored by adevice (e.g., by a computer 110, contract kiosk, 140, gaming device 130,a contract server). The game play may comprise game play associated witha contract. For example, it may first be determined (e.g., as describedwith respect to steps 1405 and 1410 of process 1400 and/or as describedwith respect to steps 1505 through 1520) that a contract has beenestablished and that play of the gaming device is covered under thecontract. This may comprise, for example, determining that a player ofthe gaming device is engaged in contract play. In one embodiment,monitoring of play of a gaming device may include storing and/oranalyzing data associated with the monitored play. It should be notedthat monitoring play of a gaming device may comprise monitoring play ofseveral gaming devices (e.g., gaming devices that a player playsconsecutively, simultaneously or at various times).

Monitoring the play of the player who is engaged in contract play of agaming device may be performed in a variety of manners. For example, inone embodiment, a controller or other device may receive game play datafrom the gaming device and store it in an appropriate record of adatabase (e.g., a record for recording game play data in associationwith a particular contract identifier). Such game play data may include:

(i) Outcome achieved (e.g., bar-bar-bell, As Qh Qs 3d 2h in videopoker);

(ii) Payout amount (e.g., three coins paid for a pair of jacks orbetter);

(iii) Wager amount (e.g., player wagered two quarters);

(iv) Game actions (e.g., player drew three cards to a pair of queens,player selected first of three locations in a bonus round selectionstage);

(v) Type of gaming device played (e.g., stepper, video poker, five reelvideo);

(vi) Denomination of gaming device played (e.g., nickel, quarter,dollar);

(vii) Manufacturer of gaming device played;

(viii) Location of gaming device played;

(ix) Rate of play (e.g., number of handle pulls per unit time);

(x) Acceleration of play (e.g., rate of increase or decrease in rate ofplay);

(xi) Variation in wager amount (e.g., increases or decreases in theamount of the wager over time);

(xii) Player tracking card and/or contract card usage (e.g., is theplayer frequently removing and re-inserting his player tracking cardand/or contract card, has the card been inactive for a long period oftime, etc.);

(xiii) Precision of player strategy (e.g., is the player playing jacksor better 6/9 video poker according to optimum play); and/or

(xiv) Strategy variations (e.g., has the player switched from an optimalvideo poker strategy to a strategy of sacrificing optimal play tomaximize his chances at completing a royal flush).

In one embodiment, step 1605 includes monitoring of player behaviorand/or activities other than game play activity at a gaming device. Forexample, actions that the player makes while establishing and/orreconciling a contract may be monitored as well.

In one embodiment, the monitoring of play of a gaming device may includecomparing a player identification presented when establishing and/orreconciling a contract (e.g., at a slot booth) with identificationinformation stored at a controller. This may be done, for example, tocheck that the same person who purchased the contract is the personattempting to reconcile the contract and/or who has participated in gameplays covered by the contract.

In one embodiment, the monitoring of play need not rely on data receivedfrom a gaming device. For example, some or all of the data may stored ata controller (e.g., a slot server) or other device (e.g., contractkiosk). In some embodiments, data related to monitored play may beobserved and/or input by casino personnel. Some types of data may bereceived via a contract kiosk or other type of terminal (e.g., playerinputs a contract password at a contract kiosk in order to receive arefund amount defined by a contract).

Data associated with monitored play of a gaming device may be stored ina database (e.g., a player database, a purchased contracts database,and/or another database) or other memory means of a device. A playerdatabase, for example, may be accessed in accordance with a particularplayer identifier or player name (e.g., a casino representative keys-ina player name, swipes a player tracking card through a card-readerdevice in communication with a casino personnel device, etc.) so as todetermine information about the player and/or play by the player.

In step 1610, a determination is then made as to whether or not theplayer should be prevented from purchasing or otherwise entering one ormore contracts in the future. This determination may be made based onplay of the gaming device (and/or other behavior or activities of aplayer) monitored and/or stored in step 1605. In one embodiment,determining whether a player should be prevented from purchasing acontract in the future may comprise determining whether the playershould be prevented from purchasing or otherwise entering into anycontract in the future. In another embodiment, determining whether aplayer should be prevented from purchasing or otherwise entering into acontract in the future may comprise determining whether the playershould be prevented from purchasing or otherwise entering into aspecific contract and/or a contract defining one or more specific termsor value thereof.

In one embodiment, determining whether a player should be prevented frompurchasing or otherwise entering into a contract in the future mayfurther comprise causing the player to be prevented from purchasing orotherwise entering into a contract in the future. For example, anindication of the player's ineligibility to establish a contract, aparticular type of contract, and/or a contract defining certain termsmay be stored in an appropriate record of a database (e.g., the recordcorresponding to the player in the player database). In one embodiment,if the player is to be prevented from purchasing or otherwise enteringinto a contract in the future for a predetermined period of time, anindication of the period of time may also be stored in association withthe player's ineligibility.

In one embodiment, the determination of whether a player should beprevented from purchasing or otherwise entering into a contract in thefuture, based on play of a gaming device monitored previously, may beperformed in response to a player's request to establish a contract. Insuch an embodiment, an analysis of the stored data may be performed anda message informing the player of his ineligibility may be output basedon the analysis at the time of the request. This may be done in someembodiments in lieu of the determination being made based on retrievinga previously stored indication of the player's ineligibility from arecord of a database.

In one embodiment, determining whether a player should be prevented frompurchasing or otherwise entering into a contract in the future maycomprise determining whether the player has complied with one or moreterms of the contract the player has previously established. Forexample, a player whose rate of play during the contract period is belowa minimum acceptable rate of play defined by a contract may be preventedfrom establishing future contracts and/or from establishing futurecontracts with the minimum acceptable rate of play (in one example, alower minimum rate of play may be defined by a future contract providedto a player). To make a determination of whether the game play dataindicates a compliance with one or more terms of a contract, acontroller may access game play data and compare it with the termsdefined by the subject contract. In the current example, the play datamay indicate that the player made one hundred and twenty (120) handlepulls per hour during the period of time defined by the contract whilethe contract associated with the player may require a minimum acceptablerate of two hundred (200) handle pulls per hour. In one embodiment,while the player may still receive a refund of losses despite not havingcomplied with the minimum acceptable rate of play, the player may beprevented from establishing a contract in the future and/or fromestablishing a contract that has a minimum acceptable rate of play oftwo hundred (200) handle pulls per hour or any greater minimumacceptable rate of play.

It should be noted that determining whether a player should be preventedfrom purchasing or otherwise entering into a contract in the future maycomprise determining that a player should be prevented from enteringinto a contract for a predetermined period of time and/or until apredetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the player may beprevented from entering into a contract for one month, one year, untilthe player's average minimum rate of play is at least a predeterminedaverage minimum rate of play, until a status associated with the playerchanged, etc. In one embodiment, step 1610 may further comprisedetermining the period of time for which the player is to be preventedfrom purchasing or otherwise entering into a contract.

In one embodiment, monitored game data may indicate that the player hasleft his contract play card three times in machines that have not seenplay for five minutes or more. While this may be an indication of aforgetful customer, it could also be a signal that the player may beintentionally leaving the contract play card in unattended machines inthe hopes that another player will unknowingly sit down at that machineand begin a non-contract gaming session. In this way, the player who satdown might thus generate losses associated with that particular gamingcontract without costing the first player any money (since the firstplayer did not post the wagers for the game plays while the contractcard was in the gaming device).

These false losses might then result in substantial refund payments tothe first player at the conclusion of the period of time defined by thecontract. To address this issue, a controller might direct casinopersonnel to talk with the player when an orphaned card was detectedmore than three times. Alternatively or in addition, the controller mayprevent such a player from establishing contracts in the future (e.g.,by flagging the player, in the record of the player database thatcorresponds to the player, as a player who is not eligible to establishcontracts). In another embodiment, a player might be required to visit aslot club booth to reactivate a contract card if it had been sittingidle in a machine for five minutes or more.

In one embodiment, a controller or other device may adjust game playdata associated with the subject contract (e.g., to bring it in linewith one or more terms of the contract and/or to compensate for one ormore behaviors of a player that appear to be aimed at inappropriatelymaximizing the value of the benefit defined by the contract). Forexample, if it is determined that the player is removing his contractcard after being dealt a strong initial hand in video poker (e.g. fourqueens) in an effort to generate large false losses (due to the factthat the controller would not track the final outcome if the card hadbeen removed), then the controller may be programmed to automaticallyadd outcomes subsequently achieved by the player after the card wasremoved. The controller may also be operable to track the initial handdealt to the player and keep tracking (for the purposes of determiningwin/loss) until the hand was completed. In one embodiment, a warningmessage may also be output to casino personnel whenever a playerwithdrew his contract card after being dealt an initially winning (orlikely to result in a winning outcome) video poker hand. Such tacticsmay also be used in other multi-stage games, such as video blackjack oreven reel-based games if the player has an ability to pull a contractcard out of a gaming device after seeing winning results on the firstthree reels of a five reel game.

In one embodiment, determining whether a player should be prevented frompurchasing or otherwise entering into a contract in the future may bebased on a determination of whether a player's gambling behavior changedin a certain manner during the period of time defined by the contractand/or as compared to the player's gambling behavior while the playerwas not participating in play covered by a contract. For example,monitored game play data may indicate that a player began a period oftime defined by a contract by posting relatively small wagers per gameplay but then increased the size of the wager per game play dramaticallyas the contract neared the end of the period of time. This behavior ofthe player might be consistent with a player attempting to artificiallydecrease the effective standard deviation of the period of time definedby the contract. While this may not violate the terms of the contract,the casino may choose not to enter into contracts with this player inthe future.

In one embodiment, determining whether a player should be prevented frompurchasing or otherwise entering into gaming contracts in the future maybe based on a determination of whether monitored game play dataindicates that the player identifier presented at the reconciliation ofa contract matches that provided at the establishment of the contract.Non-matching identification may indicate that a player has sold hiscontract to another player (perhaps exploiting the fact that contractsmay be limited in number and thus may be highly desirable on some daysor that only certain player may be eligible to enter into contract ingeneral or into certain highly desirable contracts). The selling playermay be prevented from entering into a contract in the future. Similarly,game play data may indicate that a first player has handed his contractcard to another player (perhaps determined through the review ofsurveillance cameras). If such behavior is contrary to the terms of thecontract, the player may have restrictions placed on his ability toenter into a contract in the future.

In accordance with some embodiments, a gaming device may have a featurewhich allows a player to build up equity, such as by collecting diamondsor other benefits or symbols upon an occurrence of a predetermined eventduring game play (e.g., whenever a special symbol appears on the paylineand/or a predetermined outcome is achieved). At such machines, a playerparticipating in contract play may advantageously play with his contractcard in the machine until achieving a number of diamond symbols. At thispoint the may remove the contract card and quickly achieve a bonuspayout for accumulating enough diamond symbols. This method of play maybe determined by the controller based on the monitored game play dataand the player may be prevented from using that particular type ofequity machine in future contract play and/or may have otherrestrictions place on his ability to purchase or otherwise enter intocontracts.

In one embodiment, a controller may be operable to terminate contractplay under a contract based on the monitored play of the gaming device.The controller may be operable to do so addition to or in lieu ofpreventing a player from purchasing or otherwise entering into acontract in the future. Alternatively, the controller may reducebenefits to the player associated with the contract. For example, if thecontract defines a refund rate of one hundred percent (100%) of aplayer's losses, the controller may determine to pay back only fiftypercent (50%) of the player's losses based on the monitored play of thegaming device.

As described, in one or more embodiments, rather than preventing theplayer from purchasing or otherwise entering into a contract in thefuture, the controller may be operable to add rules/restrictionsregarding the player's eligibility to enter into contracts in thefuture. Such rules/restrictions might include, for example:

(i) that the player must pay fifty percent (50%) more for a contractthan the player would otherwise be required to pay;

(ii) that the player is eligible for some types of contracts or contractterms, but ineligible for other types of contracts or contract terms;

(iii) that the player may continue to be eligible to enter into acontract, but not for a contract that is eligible for contract play onvideo poker devices;

(iv) that the player may only establish one contract per month or perother unit of time;

(v) that the player is eligible only for certain value or value rangesof certain contract terms (e.g., a refund rate of up to fifty percent(50%) of losses); and/or

(vi) that the player must maintain a minimum of five hundred (500)handle pulls per hour during all contract play.

A. Additional Exemplary Process

Referring now to FIG. 17, a method 1700 according to some embodiments isshown. In some embodiments, the method 1700 may be at least partiallyperformed by any of the system 100 of FIG. 1 (or any componentsthereof), the controller 200 of FIG. 2, and/or the gaming device 300 ofFIG. 3. The method 1700 may also or alternatively be associated withand/or at least partially performed or implemented by other devices,objects, and/or entities associated with a casino or other gamingfacility. According to some embodiments, some or all processes of themethod 1700 may be performed via one or more customer servicerepresentatives and/or other employees of a casino and/or hotel orresort.

In some embodiments, the method 1700 may be descriptive of a method ofutilizing an existing player tracking system of a casino and/or otherestablishment to implement gaming contracts. The method 1700 may beginat 1702, for example, by determining an identifier associated with aplayer of a gaming device. The identifier may, according to someembodiments, comprise a player tracking identifier associated with theplayer. The identifier may be received, identified, and/or otherwisedetermined in a variety of ways. The identifier may be receivedelectronically, for example, via one or more of a slot machine or othergaming device (such as in the case a player inserts a player trackingcard and/or keys in or provides a verbal indication of the identifier,and/or provides a biometric indicator), a kiosk, a Web site and/or webterminal, a cellular or standard telephone, and/or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the identifier may also or alternativelycomprise a gaming contract identifier. In the case that the player haspurchased a gaming insurance policy contract, for example, theidentifier may be or include a policy number and/or code (such as anencrypted sequence of numbers associated with the policy).

According to some embodiments, such as it the case that variousrelational data stores (e.g., such as those described herein) areutilized, a player tracking identifier may be indicative of a gamingcontract associated with the player and/or a gaming contract identifiermay be indicative of the player (and/or a player tracking numberassociated therewith). Further, in some embodiments, either or bothidentifiers may be received and/or determined via other means. Theplayer may provide a verbal indication of the identifier (oridentifiers) to a customer service representative or kiosk, for example,and/or may provide a representative and/or device with a gaming contractreceipt, gaming contract card, printed copy of a confirmation e-mail,and/or other physical indicia (e.g., a token, barcode, and/or otherhuman or machine-readable indicia).

In some embodiments, the identifier (or identifiers) may be received,identified, and/or otherwise determined as part of an insurance and/orcontract claim. The player may believe that a benefit is due pursuant toa previously purchased gaming contract, for example, and may utilize acustomer service representative, kiosk, and/or other device to providean identification of the player and/or the gaming contract. In someembodiments, the player may also provide an indication of an expectedamount due as a benefit pursuant to the gaming contract. The player maydefine, for example, an amount of losses that the player believes shouldbe covered under a gaming insurance contract. According to someembodiments, the player may be sent a reminder (such as an e-mail,pager, and/or cellular telephone reminder) associated with the gamingcontract, such as in the case that the player has not yet made orsubmitted a claim. In some embodiments, the claim may be automaticallyinitiated, facilitated, and/or submitted on the player's behalf, such asin the case that certain conditions associated with the gaming contractare identified and/or determined.

In some embodiments, the method 1700 may continue by determininginformation indicative of historical game play of the player, at 1704.The identifier (and/or identifiers) determined at 1702, for example, maybe utilized to query a database and/or other data store to determineinformation associated with previous game plays of the player. Theidentifier may be a player tracking identifier that is utilized toretrieve a player tracking history (and/or portion thereof) associatedwith the player. In some embodiments, a standard and/or known playertracking card may be inserted into a gaming device by the player, forexample, to track metrics associated with the player's gaming activityon the gaming device. According to some embodiments, such metrics mayinclude, but are not limited to: (i) time of game play, (ii) duration ofgame play (e.g., time period and/or number of plays), (iii) an amountwagered (e.g., coin in and/or coin in per play), (iv) payout amounts(e.g., coin out and/or coin out per play), (v) any combination thereof,and/or (vi) other metrics.

According to some embodiments, the historical game play data may beanalyzed, parsed, and/or portioned based on a relevance with respect tothe gaming contract. Information associated with the gaming contract,such as contract parameter values, may be utilized, for example, tolimit and/or structure a query to a player tracking database to identifya subset of the player's historical game play data. In the case that thegaming contract defines a period of validity between 1 PM and 3 PM on acertain day, for example, only historical game play data associated withthe player that occurred during that period may be determined,identified, and/or retrieved. In such a manner, for example, historicalgame play conducted under and/or in compliance with parameters of thecontract may easily and/or quickly be determined. In some embodiments,such data may also or alternatively be flagged (e.g., utilizing one ormore database columns) as historical game play data associated with thegaming contract. A record associated with historical game play data mayinclude, for example, a flag such as “Y” or “YES” indicating that therecord is associated with a game play contract, and/or an identifiersuch as “C-001” indicating that the record is associated with aparticular gaming contract (e.g., a contract identified by “C-001”).Such flags may be determined and/or populated at a gaming device (e.g.,as the game play data is defined and/or detected), at a server (e.g., asthe game play data is recorded and/or stored and/or as the data istransformed, transmitted, and/or formatted), and/or at a customerservice and/or other processing device (e.g., as a claim pursuant to thegaming contract is identified and/or processed). In some embodiments, aparticular table and/or database may be utilized to store only gamingcontract-related historical play data, and thus the subset of theplayer's historical data may be determined by simply querying data fromsuch a data store.

As an example, a coverage period of a gaming contract may be from 2:00PM to 3:00 PM on a specific date. Thus, a database storing a player'sentire history of gaming may be accessed, and it may be determined thatthe player executed five hundred and twenty-one (521) game plays,wagered one hundred and sixty dollars and fifty cents ($160.50), and wonone hundred and fifteen dollars ($115.00) in payouts during this time.Game plays that were not executed during this time frame may, accordingto some embodiments, not be considered, retrieved, and/or analyzed. Dataoutside of the scope of one or more parameters of the gaming contractmay be filtered out of database query results, for example. In someembodiments, other parameters may alternatively or additionally beutilized besides coverage period to determine whether or not historicgame play is covered by a gaming contract and/or gaming insurancepolicy. For example, if a player wagers more than fifty cents (50¢;e.g., maximum wager amount per game play) in association with aparticular game play, that game play may be considered not to be coveredby the gaming contract.

According to some embodiments, the method 1700 may continue at 1706 bydetermining, based at least upon the information indicative of thehistorical game play of the player and the identifier associated withthe player, whether the player qualifies for a benefit pursuant to thegaming contract. The historical game play data determined at 1704 may becompared to one or more parameters of a gaming contract associated withthe player (e.g., determined from the identifier of 1702), for example,to determine if the game play complied with and/or satisfied such gamingcontract parameters. Any game play determined to be associated with thegaming contract, for example, may be examined and/or analyzed todetermine if such game play satisfied conditions, requirements, and/orparameters of the gaming contract. In the case that the player wasrequired to play for three (3) hours during a weekday to obtaininsurance for any losses resulting from the play, for example, any gameplay data not occurring on a weekday may initially be ignored, filtered,and/or simply not considered. Any game play determined to have occurredduring the specific gaming contract period (e.g., on a weekday, andpresumably during an effective period of the gaming contract) may becompared to conditions of the gaming contract to determine contractcompliance and/or to verify a claim amount.

In the case that the associated game play does not satisfy the three (3)hour requirement, for example, the player may not have qualified,pursuant to the gaming contract, to have any losses indemnified.Accordingly, any claim of the player may be denied. In the case that thegaming contract-related game play satisfies the three (3) hour playduration and/or one or more other conditions, however, the player'sclaim may be deemed legitimate. In some embodiments, the amount of theclaim, loss, and/or any benefit due to the player may then be determinedand/or verified. Any alleged loss and/or alleged benefit amount providedby the player may, for example, be compared to gaming contract termsand/or to the relevant associated historical game play to determine anyamount and/or other benefit that may be due to the player.

As an example, consider the previous example of historic game play (theplayer executed five hundred and twenty-one (521) game plays, wageredone hundred and sixty dollars and fifty cents ($160.50), and won onehundred and fifteen dollars ($115.00) in payouts during the coverageperiod), in light of the following exemplary gaming contract parameters:(i) a refund rate equal to fifty percent (50%) of total losses, and (ii)a minimum refund amount of twenty-five dollars ($25). Thus, the playermay receive a refund of twenty-five dollars ($25) for the covered play(forty-five dollars and fifty cents ($45.50) in total losses divided bytwo (2)=twenty-two dollars and seventy-five cents ($22.75), which isless than the minimum twenty-five dollar ($25) refund amount).

In some embodiments, the method 1700 may comprise fewer or more stepsthan those shown in FIG. 17. The method 1700 may include, for example,one or more processes directed to registering a player for a gamingcontract. An indication that a player is interested in a gaming contractand/or desires to register or sign up for a gaming contract may,according to some embodiments, be received. The player may utilize akiosk, gaming device, Web-related device, and/or PDA, for example, toinitiate registration for a gaming contract. In some embodiments (suchas described herein), the player may select from a menu of availablegaming contracts. Similarly, the player may define, select, and/orotherwise determine one or more parameters and/or values thereof to beassociated with the gaming contract. In some embodiments, the player mayalso or alternatively provide an indication to a casino employee such asa customer service representative and/or may fill out and/or provide oneor more forms (such as a gaming contract registration form). Accordingto some embodiments, the player may purchase the gaming contract and/orreceive indicia of the contract (such as the gaming contract cardsand/or receipts described herein).

In some embodiments, the gaming contract may define and/or be defined byone or more parameters and/or values thereof, as described herein. Termsof the gaming contract may specify, for example, (i) a period covered bythe gaming contract (e.g., denoted by time (such as the next hour orfrom 1:00-3:00 PM) or game plays (the next two hundred (200) spins));(ii) a refund rate (as percentage of loss), a refund amount (flatrefund), a maximum/minimum refund amount (at least fifty dollars ($50),no more than four hundred dollars ($400), etc.), a deductible, etc.;(iii) and identification of eligible gaming devices, gaming devicetypes, and/or game types; (iv) a maximum/minimum/fixed wager amount pergame play; (v) a purchase price (e.g., a flat price, such as thirtydollars ($30) for policy) and/or incremental fees/premium (e.g., atwenty-five cent (25¢) premium per one dollar ($1) wagered); and/or (vi)other play requirements (e.g., a rate of play, etc.). As described, suchparameters may be operator-specified, player-specified, or combinationof both.

According to some embodiments, the method 1700 may also or alternativelycomprise storing and/or recording the parameters of the gaming contract.The parameters may be stored in one or more data stores such asdatabases and/or tables thereof, for example, and/or may be associatedwith a player identifier (such as a player tracking identifier) and/orgaming contract identifier (e.g., such as the identifier determined at1702). According to some embodiments, the parameters may be storedand/or recorded via one or more forms and/or other paperwork. Processesand/or devices associated with Optical Character Recognition (OCR)and/or Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) may be utilized, for example, todetermine the one or more parameters (and/or values thereof) and/orconvert hard-copy indicia of such parameters to electrical and/ordigital indicia. Computer-readable forms such as forms provided by theScantron® Corporation of Irvine, Calif., may be utilized, for example.

As an example, a player and/or representative may fill in appropriatebubbles or boxes of a form, thereby selecting various gaming contractparameters (e.g., a box next to “$400” is checked in association with acategory of “refund limit” to define and/or request a four hundreddollar ($400) refund limit). Player indicia such as a player trackingnumber may also or alternatively be recorded in such a manner so as toeasily associate the contract and parameters with a specific player. Insome embodiments, the player identifier may be indicated by a barcode,code, key, and/or other human and/or machine-readable indicia that is orbecomes known or practicable. In some embodiments, forms and/or dataassociated with a player's purchase and/or registration for a gamingcontract may be stored and/or arranged in accordance with variousmethods to allow easy indexing and/or location of particular forms at alater time. Physical copies of the forms may simply be arranged byplayer tracking numbers, for example, and/or scanned-in electronicversions of the forms may be indexed and/or arranged by player trackingnumbers and/or other pertinent metrics. In some embodiments, digitalimages of the forms may be stored in one or more databases for easyretrieval and/or analysis.

According to some embodiments, the gaming contract metrics may be storedand/or indicated on one or more objects provided to the player. Aplayer's player tracking card may store an indication of the gamingcontract (such as a gaming contract identifier) and/or gaming contractparameters, for example, and/or the player may be provided with a gamingcontract card (such as a paper card, a plastic magnetic stripe card,etc.), a receipt, an e-mail, and/or other physical and/or electronicindicia or record.

In some embodiments, the same device and/or devices may be utilized toregister the player for the gaming contract as well as reconcile thegaming contract and/or analyze or processes gaming contract claims (suchas gaming contract insurance claims). The player may sign up for agaming contract at a kiosk and/or customer service desk, for example,play at one or more gaming devices using a player tracking card, and maythen return to the customer service desk and/or kiosk to make a claimunder the gaming contract. In such a manner, for example, existingplayer tracking systems may be utilized without substantial or anymodification to practice embodiments described herein. In someembodiments for example, a customer service desk, kiosk, and/or otherhardware and/or personnel may simply be tasked to handle gamingcontract, while the player tracking system operates as usual. In suchembodiments, the player tracking data may then be utilized by the gamingcontract personnel and/or devices to determine compliance with gamingcontract terms and/or parameters.

The foregoing description discloses only exemplary embodiments of theinvention; modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methodsthat fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

For example, it should be understood that aspects of the invention maybe utilized in connection with a device or devices located at a tablegame which facilitate placement of bets or other activities at a tablegame while reducing or eliminating actions required on a part of aplayer of the table game. For example, the MP21™ table manufactured byBally Table Management Systems (TMS)™ division of Bally Systems® is anadvanced blackjack table that includes an array of state-of-the-artoptical and electronic sensors. The MP21™ constantly captures real-timedata to instantly track and record every card dealt and every wager madeto determine an accurate reporting of table game results. A device suchas the MP21™ may be used in embodiments of the present invention tomonitor contract play at a table game.

Other products manufactured by Bally TMS™ may also be used inembodiments of the present invention to monitor contract play at a tablegame. For example, Bally TMS™ produces the technology formerly known asMindPlay™, which includes touch-screen data ratings products (formerlyknown as eTABLE™), card security (Bally MPBaccarat™, UCS intelligentcard shoe), and the MP21™ Any and all of these products may be used inan embodiment of the present invention. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,848to Soltys et al., entitled “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Casinosand Gaming” describes a “system [that] automatically monitors playingand wagering of a game, including the gaming habits of players and theperformance of employees.” (Abstract). The systems and methods of thisinvention may be used some embodiments described herein to monitorgaming activity of a player (e.g., at a table game) and is herebyincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

It should also be understood that aspects of the present invention maybe applicable to games in which the skill of the player and/or playerinput may partially or completely determine the outcomes. Such games mayinclude video poker and video blackjack and may also include other gamesnot usually present in casinos. For example, such games may include asimulation of a golf putting game, in which player input causes asimulated golf ball to be propelled toward a simulated golf hole. If thesimulated ball lands in the simulated hole, a prize may be awarded. Amachine which allows playing of such a simulated golf game is to beincluded in the term “gaming device” as used herein.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed inconnection with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understoodthat other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

VIII. Rules of Interpretation

Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presentlydisclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, asis readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features ofthe disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understoodthat such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they aredescribed, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The present disclosure is neither a literal description of allembodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the inventionthat must be present in all embodiments.

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thispatent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thispatent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scopeof the disclosed invention(s). The term “product” means any machine,manufacture and/or composition of matter as contemplated by 35 U.S.C.§101, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “one embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but notall) disclosed embodiments”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in the present application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describesboth “based only on” and “based at least on”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when theterm “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that theterm “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations ofthe claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature,and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of thefeature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than onewidget).

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficientantecedent basis.

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a“first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a“second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any otherrelationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate anyother characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mereusage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term“widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or afterany other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widgetoccurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does notindicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as inimportance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbersdoes not define a numerical limit to the features identified with theordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers“first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate thatthere must be no more than two widgets.

When a single device or article is described herein, more than onedevice or article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively beused in place of the single device or article that is described.Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by adevice may alternatively be possessed by more than one device or article(whether or not they cooperate).

Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein(whether or not they cooperate), a single device or article mayalternatively be used in place of the more than one device or articlethat is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devicesmay be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, thevarious functionality that is described as being possessed by more thanone device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single deviceor article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devicesthat are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality and/or features. Thus, other embodiments need not includethe described device itself, but rather can include the one or moreother devices which would, in those other embodiments, have suchfunctionality and/or features.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to eachother as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for weeks at a time. In addition, devices thatare in communication with each other may communicate directly orindirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components and/or features arerequired. On the contrary, a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of thepresent invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, nocomponent and/or feature is essential or required.

Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may be describedin a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work indifferent orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps thatmay be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processesdescribed herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, somesteps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or impliedas occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is describedafter the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not indicate that all or even any of the steps are essentialor required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the describedinvention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of thedescribed steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required.Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s)include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

“Determining” something can be performed in a variety of manners andtherefore the term “determining” (and like terms) includes calculating,computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a table, database or datastructure), ascertaining and the like.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., one or more microprocessors) will receive instructions from amemory or like device, and execute those instructions, therebyperforming one or more processes defined by those instructions. Further,programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored andtransmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) ina number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or customhardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, softwareinstructions for implementation of the processes of various embodiments.Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination ofhardware and software

A “processor” means any one or more microprocessors, CPU devices,computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or likedevices.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read bya computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take manyforms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, opticalor magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includeDRAM, which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission mediainclude coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including thewires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmissionmedia may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves andelectromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during RF and IR datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip orcartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asBluetooth™, TDMA, CDMA, 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such a database.

The present invention can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication, via a communicationsnetwork, with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with thedevices directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such asthe Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriatecommunications means or combination of communications means. Each of thedevices may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel®Pentium® or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted to communicate withthe computer. Any number and type of machines may be in communicationwith the computer.

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication. Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursuepatents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but notclaimed in the present application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a gaming system, the methodcomprising: (a) causing at least one processor to operate with at leastone input device to enable a player to pay a fee to enter into acontract for a benefit, the contract being associated with one or moreterms and the benefit including a predetermined flat refund amount; (b)regardless of whether the player has entered into the contract, enablingthe player to place one or more monetary wagers on one or more plays ofa game, said one or more monetary wagers being in addition to the fee;(c) causing the at least one processor to operate with the at least oneinput device to determine an identifier associated with the a player;and (d) if the player has entered into the contract: (i) causing the atleast one processor to determine information indicative of historicalgame play of the player; (ii) causing the at least one processor todetermine, based at least upon the information indicative of historicalgame play of the player and the identifier associated with the player,whether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfied; and (iii)if it is determined that the one or more terms of the contract aresatisfied, causing the at least one processor to operate with at leastone display device to display the benefit and to cause the benefit to beprovided to the player.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the atleast one processor to operate with the at least one input device todetermine the identifier associated with the player comprises: causingthe at least one processor to operate with the at least one input deviceto receive an indication of a player tracking number associated with theplayer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the at least oneprocessor to determine the information indicative of historical gameplay of the player is based at least in part on the identifierassociated with the player.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein causingthe at least one processor to determine the information indicative ofhistorical game play of the player comprises: causing the at least oneprocessor to query a database to retrieve the information indicative ofhistorical game play of the player.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereincausing the at least one processor to operate with the at least oneinput device to determine the identifier associated with the playercomprises, if the player has entered into the contract: causing the atleast one processor to operate with the at least one input device toreceive an indication of a contract identifier associated with thecontract.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the playerhas entered into the contract: causing the at least one processor todetermine, based at least in part on the identifier associated with theplayer, information indicative of the contract associated with theplayer.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein causing the at least oneprocessor to determine the information indicative of the contractassociated with the player comprises: causing the at least one processorto query a database to retrieve the information indicative of thecontract associated with the player.
 8. The method of claim 6, whereincausing the at least one processor to determine whether the one or moreterms of the contract are satisfied comprises: causing the at least oneprocessor to compare the information indicative of historical game playof the player with the information indicative of the contract associatedwith the player.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the informationindicative of the contract associated with the player defines the one ormore terms of the contract.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein causingthe at least one processor to determine whether the one or more terms ofthe contract are satisfied comprises: causing the at least one processorto determine, based on the information indicative of historical gameplay of the player, that the historical game play of the playersatisfies the one or more terms of the contract.
 11. The method of claim6, further comprising: causing the at least one processor to store theinformation indicative of the contract.
 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising: causing the at least one processor to operate withthe at least one input device to receive, from the player, a request toenter into the contract.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:causing the at least one processor to operate with the at least oneinput device to receive the fee for the contract from the player. 14.The method of claim 1, further comprising: causing the at least oneprocessor to monitor any wagered-on plays of the game by the player; andcausing the at least one processor to store, based at least in part onthe monitoring, the information indicative of historical game play ofthe player.
 15. A method of operating a gaming system, said methodcomprising: (a) if a player has paid a fee to enter into a contract fora benefit including a predetermined flat refund amount, said fee beingin addition to any monetary wagers placed on any plays of any games andthe contract being associated with one or more terms, causing at leastone processor to operate with at least one input device to receive anindication of a contract insurance claim associated with said contract;(b) thereafter, causing the at least one processor to determineinformation indicative of a subset of historical game play of theplayer, wherein said subset of historical game play is associated withthe contract; (c) causing the at least one processor to determinewhether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfied; and (d) ifit is determined that the one or more terms of the contract aresatisfied, causing the at least one processor to operate with at leastone display device to display the benefit and to cause the benefit to beprovided to the player.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein causing theat least one processor to operate with the at least one input device toreceive the indication of the contract insurance claim associated withthe contract comprises: causing the at least one processor to operatewith the at least one input device to receive an indication of at leastone of a player tracking identifier associated with the player and acontract identifier associated with the contract.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein causing the at least one processor to determine theinformation indicative of the subset of historical game play of theplayer comprises: causing the at least one processor to retrieve from adatabase, utilizing a player tracking identifier associated with theplayer, information indicative of a portion of historical game play ofthe player.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the informationindicative of the portion of historical game play associated with thecontract is determined by accessing a temporal restriction associatedwith the contract and determining records of historical game play storedin the database that satisfy the temporal restriction.
 19. The method ofclaim 15, wherein causing the at least one processor to determinewhether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfied comprises:causing the at least one processor to compare the information indicativeof the subset of historical game play of the player to the one or moreterms of the contract.
 20. A gaming system, comprising: at least onedisplay device; at least one input device; a processor; and a memorycoupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions operable tocause the processor to operate with the at least one display device andthe at least one input device to: (a) enable a player to pay a fee toenter into a contract for a benefit, the contract associated with one ormore terms and the benefit including a predetermined flat refund amount;(b) regardless of whether the player has entered into the contract,enable the player to place one or more monetary wagers on one or moreplays of a game, said one or more monetary wagers being in addition tothe fee; (c) determine an identifier associated with the player; and (d)if the player has entered into the contract: (i) determine informationindicative of historical game play of the player; (ii) determine, basedat least upon the information indicative of the historical game play ofthe player and the identifier associated with the player, whether theone or more terms of the contract are satisfied; and (iii) if it isdetermined that the one or more terms of the contract are satisfied,display and cause the benefit to be provided to the player.
 21. A methodof operating a gaming system, the method comprising: (a) causing atleast one processor to operate with at least one input device to enablea player to pay a fee to enter into a contract for a benefit, thecontract being associated with one or more terms and a contract period;(b) regardless of whether the player has entered into the contract,enabling the player to place one or more monetary wagers on one or moreplays of a game, said one or more monetary wagers being in addition tothe fee; (c) causing the at least one processor to operate with the atleast one input device to determine an identifier associated with theplayer; and (d) if the player has entered into the contract: (i) causingthe at least one processor to determine information indicative ofhistorical game play of the player; (ii) causing the at least oneprocessor to determine, based at least upon the information indicativeof historical game play of the player and the identifier associated withthe player, whether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfied;(iii) if it is determined that the one or more terms of the contract aresatisfied, causing the at least one processor to operate with at leastone display device to display and cause the benefit to be provided tothe player, the benefit including a refund amount based on a determinedamount of money lost by the player in at least one wagered-on play ofthe game during the contract period.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereincausing the at least one processor to operate with the at least oneinput device to determine the identifier associated with the playercomprises: causing the at least one processor to operate with the atleast one input device to receive an indication of a player trackingnumber associated with the player.
 23. The method of claim 21, whereinthe causing the at least one processor to determine the informationindicative of historical game play of the player is based at least inpart on the identifier associated with the player.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein causing the at least one processor to determine theinformation indicative of historical game play of the player comprises:causing the at least one processor to query a database to retrieve theinformation indicative of historical game play of the player.
 25. Themethod of claim 21, wherein causing the at least one processor tooperate with the at least one input device to determine the identifierassociated with the player comprises, if the player has entered into thecontract: causing the at least one processor to operate with the atleast one input device to receive an indication of a contract identifierassociated with the contract.
 26. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising, if the player has entered into the contract: causing the atleast one processor to determine, based at least in part on theidentifier associated with the player, information indicative of thecontract associated with the player.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereincausing the at least one processor to determine the informationindicative of the contract associated with the player comprises: causingthe at least one processor to query a database to retrieve theinformation indicative of the contract associated with the player. 28.The method of claim 26, wherein causing the at least one processor todetermine whether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfiedcomprises: causing the at least one processor to compare the informationindicative of historical game play of the player with the informationindicative of the contract associated with the player.
 29. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the information indicative of the contract associatedwith the player defines the one or more terms of the contract.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, wherein causing the at least one processor todetermine whether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfiedcomprises: causing the at least one processor to determine, based on theinformation indicative of historical game play of the player, that thehistorical game play of the player satisfies the one or more terms ofthe contract.
 31. The method of claim 26, further comprising: causingthe at least one processor to store the information indicative of thecontract.
 32. The method of claim 21, further comprising: causing the atleast one processor to operate with the at least one input device toreceive, from the player, a request to enter into the contract.
 33. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising: causing the at least oneprocessor to operate with the at least one input device to receive, fromthe player, the fee for the contract.
 34. The method of claim 21,further comprising: causing the at least one processor to monitor anywagered-on plays of the game by the player; and causing the at least oneprocessor to store, based at least in part on the monitoring, theinformation indicative of historical game play of the player.
 35. Amethod of operating a gaming system, said method comprising: (a) if aplayer has paid a fee to enter into a contract for a benefit, said feebeing in addition to any monetary wagers placed on any plays of anygames and the contract being associated with one or more terms and acontract period, causing at least one processor to operate with at leastone input device to receive an indication of a contract insurance claimassociated with the contract; (b) causing the at least one processor todetermine information indicative of a subset of historical game play ofthe player, wherein said subset of historical game play is associatedwith the contract; (c) causing the at least one processor to determinewhether the one or more terms of the contract are satisfied; and (d) ifit is determined that the one or more terms of the contract aresatisfied, causing the at least one processor to operate with at leastone display device to display and cause the benefit to be provided tothe player, the benefit including a refund amount based on a determinedamount of money lost by the player in at least one wagered-on play ofthe game during the contract period.
 36. The method of claim 35, whereincausing the at least one processor to operate with the at least oneinput device to receive the indication of the contract insurance claimassociated with the contract comprises: causing the at least oneprocessor to operate with the at least one input device to receive anindication of at least one of a player tracking identifier associatedwith the player and a contract identifier associated with the contract.37. The method of claim 35, wherein causing the at least one processorto determine the information indicative of the subset of historical gameplay of the player comprises: causing the at least one processor toretrieve from a database, utilizing a player tracking identifierassociated with the player, information indicative of a portion ofhistorical game play of the player.
 38. The method of claim 37, whereinthe information indicative of the portion of historical game playassociated with the contract is determined by accessing a temporalrestriction associated with the contract and determining records ofhistorical game play stored in the database that satisfy the temporalrestriction.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein causing the at leastone processor to determine whether the one or more terms of the contractare satisfied comprises: causing the at least one processor to comparethe information indicative of the subset of historical game play of theplayer to the one or more terms of the contract.
 40. A gaming systemcomprising: at least one display device; at least one input device; aprocessor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storinginstructions operable to cause the processor to operate with the atleast one display device and the at least one input device to: (a)enable a player to pay a fee to enter into a contract for a benefit, thecontract associated with one or more terms and a contract period; (b)regardless of whether the player has entered into the contract, enablethe player to place one or more monetary wagers on one or more plays ofa game, said one or more monetary wagers being in addition to the fee;(c) determine an identifier associated with the player; and (d) if theplayer has entered into the contract: (i) determine informationindicative of historical game play of the player; (ii) determine, basedat least upon the information indicative of the historical game play ofthe player and the identifier associated with the player, whether theone or more terms of the contract are satisfied; and (iii) if it isdetermined that the player qualifies for the benefit, display and causeprovide the benefit to be provided to the player, the benefit includinga refund amount based on a determined amount of money lost by the playerin at least one wagered-on play of the game during the contract period.